UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
GEOPHYSICAL CHARACTERISATION OF META- SEDIMENTARY INTERBEDED ROCK FOR
GEO TECHNICAL WORKS
HARYATIAWANG
Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of
Candidate's Declaration
I declare that the work in this thesis was carried out in accordance with the regulations of Universiti Teknologi MARA. It is original and is the result of my own work, unless otherwise indicated or acknowledged as referenced work. This thesis has not been submitted to any other academic institution or non-academic institution for any other degree of qualification.
In the event that my thesis be found to violate the conditions mentioned above, I voluntarily waive the right of conferment of my degree and be subjected to the disciplinary rules and regulations of Universiti Teknologi MARA.
Candidate's Name HARYATI BINTI AWANG 2004316978
EC 990-Phd in Civil Engineering Faculty of Civil Engineering
GEOPHYSICAL CHARACTERISATION OF
META-SEDIMENTARY INTERBEDED ROCK FOR GEOTECHNICAL WORKS
Candidate's ID No.
Programme Faculty Thesis title
Signature of candidate Date
ABSTRACT
This research focuses on the resistivity measurement in ground investigation as one of the geophysical methods for geotechnical assessment. The area of study is limited to the ground of interbedded meta-sedimentary rocks mass of quartzite and phyllite that varies in weathering grades. The goals of this research are to study the subsurface profile layers particularly in meta-sedimentary rock formation. This includes characterising the ground material with respect to the geophysical characteristics and geotechnical engineering parameters with the intention to establish correlations between the geo- resistivity and rock properties, especially for strength properties. Another goal is to develop a database of the geo-resistivity index of meta-sedimentary rocks with respect to the degree of weathering. In order to achieve the objectives, engineering rock mass and geo-resistivity field studies were performed at selected sites that were located in Puncak Alam area. Geo-resistivity field measurements were carried out using multiple electrodes arrangement where 41 electrodes were laid in equal distance. The laboratory tests were conducted on rock material samples to determine the geo-resistivity and engineering properties. The technique of geo-resistivity test in the laboratory was developed where the method used AC current as power source. By clamping the samples in an innovated holder with a cell pressure of 10 kPa, the resistance was measured using impedance analyser (LCR meter) at a frequency of 500 kHz. The engineering properties of the material were determined using the methods that were proposed by BS 5930 and 1SRM (1981). The findings of field measurements showed a good agreement between geo-resistivity profiles and the actual profiles of rock masses. On the other hand the geo- resistivity indexes of rock mass and material are in tolerable ranges. The indexes were classified based on weathering grades where the geo-resistivity for grade I to grade V of quartzite are in ranges of more than 4000 ohm-m, 1200 to 4000 ohm-m, 700 to 1200 ohm-m , 400 to 700 ohm-m and less than 400 ohm-m respectively. The geo-resistivity ranges for grade III to grade V of phyllite are 500 to 1200 ohm-m, 100 to 500 ohm-m, 40 to 100 ohm-m and less than 40 ohm-m respectively. Using statistical analysis it was found that the most significant physical property that associated with the rock material for geo-resistivity test is density. The relationships between strength parameters, geo- resistivity and significant physical properties of weathered phyllite and quartzite have been developed in a way to establish prediction models in determining the strength of parameters using a non-destructive method. Finally, a scheme of geo-resistivity index was proposed based on weathering classification scheme and strength properties of the tropically weathered meta-sedimentary rocks.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my gratitude to people who are closely associated with me during my years in completing this study and achieving the goal. First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor Professor Dr, Ir. Zainab Mohamed for her continual advice, comments, guidance, support and encouragement during the completion of this thesis. Special thanks are dedicated to Associate Prof. Dr. Mohd Nawawi Mohd Nordin as my co-supervisor for sharing his ideas and information with me. This work would not have been possible without their utmost capability and intelligence.
I am also indebted to Prof. Gye Chun Cho and post graduate students (2005) of Geosystem Laboratory of Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology- KAIST for their guidance, help and friendship during my stay at the university.
Their assistance enabled me to complete this project.
My sincere appreciation to all the laboratory staff of Faculty of Civil Engineering UiTM, Shah Alam for their technical assistance, and to my colleagues especially to my best lab mates, Kamaruzzaman and Juraidah for making my study years cheerful.
Finally, to my beloved family especially to my husband Nor Mali and children Sakina, Danial and Darwish for their understanding, supports, and love throughout the study period. To my father who always prays for my successes and to my late mother who never seen my success, thank you for the sacrifice.
I owe you all, the heartiest gratitude and thank you for your encouragement, inspiration and support.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
DECLARATION ii ABSTRACT iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv
TABLE OF CONTENT v LIST OF TABLES xi
LIST OF FIGURES xiv
LIST OF APPENDICES xi x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xx CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Non-destructive Technique in Site Investigation 1
1.2 Study Area 4 1.3 Problem Statement 4
1.4 Objectives 8 1.5 Significance of the Study 8
1.6 Scope of the Study 9 1.7 Research Methodology 10 1.8 Thesis Organization 10
CHAPTER 2: GEOPHYSICS EXPLORATION FOR ENGINEERING PURPOSES
2.1 Geophysical Techniques 13 2.1.1 Seismic Method 14
