Indian Society for Proc.

National Seminar on
Non-Destructive Testing Non-Destructive Evaluation
Hyderabad Chapter Dec. 7 - 9, 2006, Hyderabad

Evaluation of Engineering Properties of Rock Using Ultrasonic Pulse

Velocity and Uniaxial Compressive Strength
K.B. Chary, L.P. Sarma, K.J. Prasanna Lakshmi, N.A. Vijayakumar,
V. Naga Lakshmi and M.V.M.S. Rao
National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007

A strong laboratory database of mechanical and engineering properties of rocks is

very useful for site characterization and mining engineering applications. Owing to
the discontinuous and variable nature of rock masses, it is difficult for rock engineers
to directly obtain the specific design parameters of interest. As an alternative, they
use empirical or analytical relationships among various physical and mechanical
strength properties of materials to estimate the required engineering properties of
rocks and other brittle materials of interest. We have found recently that the
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) can also be used to estimate the engineering
properties of rocks. We have carried out Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV)
measurements and Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) tests on a large number of
sandstone samples of coal mining industry in our laboratory. The engineering
properties such as brittleness, hardness, fracture toughness and drillability index of
rocks have been obtained. It is found that there is a fairly good correlation between
UPV & UCS and UPV & the above mentioned engineering properties of sandstones.
A few case studies are presented and discussed in this paper.

Keywords: UPV, UCS, Sandstone

measured through a destructive test whereas

1. Introduction
the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) is
A strong laboratory database of measured by a non-destructive test. The
mechanical and engineering properties of Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) and
rocks is very useful for site characterization tensile strength data can be used to calculate
and mining engineering applications. Owing brittleness, which is one of the important
to the discontinuous and variable nature of engineering properties of rock [3].
rock masses, it is difficult for rock engineers Furthermore, the brittleness is empirically
to directly obtain the specific design related to the other engineering properties
parameters of interest. As an alternative, such as hardness, fracture toughness and
they use empirical or theoretical correlations drillability index [4,5]. We have carried out
among various physical and mechanical UPV measurements and UCS tests on a
properties of rocks to estimate the required large number of sandstone samples of coal
engineering properties of rocks [1, 2]. We mining industries namely, Neyveli Lignite
have found that the Ultrasonic Pulse Corporation Limited (NLC) and Singareni
Velocity (UPV) data can be used along with Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) of
the strength data to estimate the engineering South India in our laboratory [6]. It is found
properties of rocks. The mechanical that there is a fairly good correlation
(Uniaxial Compressive Strength and Tensile between UPV and UCS of coal and lignite
Strength) and engineering properties can be bearing sandstons. The engineering

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 K.B. Chary et al.

properties such as brittleness, hardness, 2.2 Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS)

fracture toughness and drillability index of
rocks can be calculated using the UCS data The Uniaxial compressive strength
and the empirical relationships [4,5]. (UCS) has been determined by subjecting
Therefore, the UCS data have been made each rock sample to incremental loading at a
use off for estimating the above mentioned nearly constant rate with the help of a
engineering properties of sandstones of Universal Testing Machine (UTM) of 100
SCCL and NLC. Also, we have examined if ton capacity. The UCS of the test sample is
there is any correlation between UPV and calculated by the following formula.
the engineering properties of the NLC and
SCCL sandstones. The results are found to
Failure load
be very encouraging. These are presented UCS ( MPa ) =
Cross sectional area of the sample
and discussed in this paper.

2. Experimental Procedure (2)

The samples for the present study were 2.3 Velocity

collected from the mines of Neyveli Lignite
Corporation Limited (NLC) and Singareni Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV)
Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) of measurements of compressional waves have
South India. The rock samples collected been carried out using a high-energy pulser-
from the lignite mine of NLC are clayey, receiver on the driving side and a 2-channel
mottled clayey sandstones, hard and very digital storage oscilloscope on the receiving
hard sandstones. Whereas samples of the side for the measurement of travel time. We
SCCL coal mine are medium-strong determined the P-wave velocity (VP) using
sandstones associated with shaly coals. The the time-of-flight measurement technique at
samples used for the studies are AX-size (30 1 MHz frequency as described in detail
mm dia. and 60 mm long) cylindrical elsewhere [7,8]. The velocity is computed
specimens. The two ends of each rock using the following formula.
cylinder were ground and lapped parallel to
attain an accuracy of ± 0.2 mm and both the
ends were polished. Also, the cylindrical Length of the sample
V P (m / sec) = (3)
sides are made straight active an accuracy of Travel time
± 0.3 mm over the full length of each
specimen. 3. Results and Discussion

2.1 Density The sandstone samples of the present

study were obtained from two coal mines,
The density of each core sample was namely Neyveli Lignite Corporation
measured after the removal of moisture Limited (NLC) and Singareni Collieries
from it. The moisture was removed by Company Limited (SCCL) of South India.
placing the samples in an electric oven at ~ The laboratory rock mechanics tests have
800 C for one hour and they were dried at been carried out on 30 samples from NLC
room conditions. The density data of dry and 50 samples from SCCL. The summary
samples was obtained from the of data of density, P-wave velocity, UCS
measurements of bulk volume and mass of and engineering properties of the rock
each core using the following formula. samples of both the mines are presented in
Table 1.
Mass of sample
ρ ( g / cm 3 ) = (1) The density of NLC sandstones varies
Volume of sample
from 1.703 g/cc to 2.984 g/cc with an

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average value of 2.365 g/cc, whereas the strength [2] and among UCS, tensile
density of SCCL samples ranges from 2.080 strength and brittleness [3]. Hence, we made
g/cc to 2.319 g/cc with an average value of use off UCS data for calculating brittleness.
2.206 g/cc (Table 1). The P-wave velocity Further, brittleness can be used for
ranges from 2088 m/sec to 5407 m/sec with calculating the other engineering properties
an average value of 4669 m/sec for NLC [4]. Hardness is the resistance to
samples while it ranges from 2833 m /sec to deformation of materials. Schmidt’s
3831 m/sec with an average value of 3345 Rebound Number (RN) is the one of the
m/sec for SCCL samples (Table 1). The methods for determining the hardness of
UCS of NLC sandstone ranges from 10.92 materials. It was originally developed for
MPa to 164.10 MPa with an average value measuring the strength of hardness of
of 80.72 MPa whereas the UCS of SCCL concrete [9]. Fracture toughness is the
sandstone varies from 15.00 MPa to 37.51 ability of rock to resist fracturing and
MPa with an average value of 24.60 MPa. propagation of pre-existing cracks [10].
The density, P-wave velocity and UCS data Drillability index is ratio of force to
of sandstone samples of SCCL are less than penetration rate. It is used for determine the
those of sandstone samples of NLC. The bit type, average penetration rate and
relationship between UCS and velocity data approximate bit life. The interrelationships
of NLC and SCCL sandstones is plotted. among engineering properties, physical and
The UCS increases with increase in the P- mechanical properties have been reviewed
wave velocity in both the NLC (Fig. 1a) and by Zhang [2].
SCCL (Fig. 1b) sandstone samples. The
relationship between them has been Some of the engineering properties
analyzed using the method of least-square (Index Properties) such as brittleness (B),
regression. We got useful empirical linear Schmidt’s Rebound Number (RN), fracture
relationships between UCS and P-wave toughness (FT) and drillability index (DI) of
velocity with good correlation coefficient. sandstone samples of the NLC and SCCL
The empirical relation between UCS and P- have been estimated in the present study
wave velocity is given below. using UCS data and the empirical
relationships published recently [4,5]. These
UCS = 0.1564*VP - 692.41; empirical relationships are as follows.

R2 = 0.8018 (NLC) (4) σT = σC/10 (6)

UCS = 0.0144*VP - 24.856; B = (σC*σT)/2 (7)

R2 = 0.5099 (SCCL) (5) RN = 5.9528*ln(B2)+20.933 (8)
3.1 Estimation of Engineering Properties FT = 0.11*(B2)0.43 (9)
The engineering properties such as DI = 0.6344*(B2)0.6186 for conical bit (10)
brittleness (B), hardness (Schmidt’s
Rebound Number, RN), fracture toughness Where σT = Tensile strength (MPa)
(FT) and drillability index (DI) are useful
for efficient planning of mining, quarrying σC = Uniaxial compressive strength
operations and other applications of rock (UCS, MPa)
engineering. The brittleness is the property
of materials that rupture or fracture with B = Brittleness
little or no plastic flow. There is a strong
correlation between UCS and tensile RN = Schmidt’s Rebound Number

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 K.B. Chary et al.

FT = Fracture toughness (MPa m1/2) empirical relationships between the

engineering properties and P-wave velocity
DI = Drillability Index (kN/mm) are given below:

The summary of engineering properties Empirical relationship for NLC samples

of NLC and SCCL sandstone samples
calculated using above equations 7-10 are B= 1.0821*VP - 4898.2; R2 = 0.7487 (11)
presented in Table 1. The engineering
properties of NLC samples such as RN= 0.0207*VP - 50.793; R2 = 0.6015 (12)
brittleness ranges from 5.96 to 1346.44 with
an average value of 424.30, Schmidt’s FT= 0.0014*VP - 5.8043; R2 = 0.6345 (13)
Rebound Number varies from 31.56 to
63.82 with an average value of 52.78, DI= 0.0361*VP - 156.18; R2 = 0.6226 (14)
fracture toughness ranges from 0.24 MPa
Empirical relationships for SCCL
m1/2 to 2.44 MPa m1/2 with an average value
samples
of 1.30 MPa m1/2 and drillability index
varies from 1.91 kN/mm to 54.71 kN/mm B=0.0382*VP - 100.56; R2 = 0.5413 (15)
with an average value of 23.76 kN/mm,
while for SCCL samples the brittleness RN= 0.0084*VP + 11.842; R2 = 0.5044 (16)
ranges from 11.25 to 70.35 with an average
value of 31.69, hardness varies from 35.34 FT=0.0003*VP - 0.4112; R2 = 0.5044 (17)
to 46.25 with an average value of 40.93,
fracture toughness ranges from 0.31 MPa DI=0.004*VP - 8.7153; R2 = 0.5183 (18)
m1/2 to 0.69 MPa m1/2 with an average of
0.48 MPa m1/2 and drillability index varies The results (Table 1) show that NLC
from 2.84 kN/mm to 8.81 kN/mm with an sandstones are much stronger (Mean UCS =
average value of 5.27 kN/mm (Table 1). 80.72 MPa; Schmidt’s Rebound Number =
52.78) than the sandstones of SCCL (mean
3.2 Empirical Relationships Between UCS: 24.60 MPa; Schmidt’s Rebound
Engineering Properties and P-wave Velocity Number = 40.93). The associated properties,
namely brittleness, fracture toughness and
Since the engineering properties have drillabilty index of the sandstones of NLC
been calculated using UCS data, and since are also found to be higher than those of the
there is a good correlation between UCS sandstones of SCCL (Table 1).
and P-wave velocity data (Fig. 1), we
examined the relationships between P-wave 4. Conclusions
velocity data and the engineering properties
of the NLC and SCCL sandstone samples. The Uniaxial Compressive Strength
Hence, we have plotted data of engineering (UCS) is an important mechanical property
properties such as brittleness (Fig. 2), from which some of the engineering
hardness (Fig. 3), fracture toughness (Fig. 4) properties can be calculated. The
and drillability index (Fig. 5) against P- determination of UCS (destructive test) is
wave velocity data of NLC and SCCL relatively difficult than the room
sandstone samples. The results have been temperature UPV measurements (Non-
analyzed using least square regression destructive test) in rock samples. Hence, the
method. It is found that the above relationship between UCS and laboratory P-
mentioned engineering properties increase wave velocity data of sandstones has been
with increase in the P-wave velocity of NLC analyzed and we found a good correlation
(Figs. 2a-5a) and SCCL (Figs.2b-5b) between UCS and P-wave velocity data.
samples tested in the present study. The

382 NDE-2006
 Evaluation of Engineering Properties of Rock

(a) (a)
200 70
NLC Sandstones

Uniaxial compressive strength(MPa)

180 NLC Sandstones
160 65

Schmidt's Rebound Number

140
60
120
100 55
80
50
60 y = 0.1564x - 692.41
R 2 = 0.8018 y = 0.0207x - 50.793
40
45 R2 = 0.6015
20
0 40
4000 4200 4400 4600 4800 5000 5200 5400 5600 4200 4400 4600 4800 5000 5200 5400 5600

P-wave velocity (m/sec) P-wave velocity (m/sec)

(b) (b)
40 50
Uniaxial compressive strength (MPa)

SCCL Sandstones SCCL Sandstones

35

Schmidt's Rebound Number

45
30

25 40
20
35
15 y = 0.0144x - 24.856
R2 = 0.5099
10
30 y = 0.0084x + 11.842
5 R2 = 0.5044

0 25
2400 2600 2800 3000 3200 3400 3600 3800 4000 2800 3000 3200 3400 3600 3800 4000

P-wave velocity (m/sec) P-wave velocity (m/sec)

Fig.1: Plots showing the uniaxial Fig.3: Plots showing the Schmidt’s Rebound
compressive strength-P-wave velocity Number-P-wave velocity relationship
relationship of the samples of (a) NLC of the samples of (a) NLC sandstones
sandstones and (b) SCCL sandstones and (b) SCCL sandstones

(a) (a)
1000 3.0
NLC Sandstones
Fracture toughness ( MPa m1/2)

900 NLC Sandstones

800 2.5

700
2.0
Brittleness

600
500 1.5
400
1.0
300
y = 1.0821x - 4898.2
200
R2 = 0.7487 0.5 y = 0.0014x - 5.8043
100 R2 = 0.6345

0 0.0
4200 4400 4600 4800 5000 5200 5400 5600 4200 4400 4600 4800 5000 5200 5400 5600
P-wave velocity (m/sec) P-wave velocity (m/sec)

(b) (b)
60 1.0
SCCL Sandstones SCCL Sandstones
Fracture toughness ( MPa m1/2)

50 0.8

40
Brittleness

0.6

30
0.4
20
y = 0.0382x - 100.56 y = 0.0003x - 0.4112
0.2
10 R2 = 0.5413 R2 = 0.5044

0 0.0
2800 3000 3200 3400 3600 3800 4000 2800 3000 3200 3400 3600 3800 4000
P-wave velocity (m/sec) P-wave velocity (m/sec)

Fig.4: Plots showing the fracture toughness-

Fig.2: Plots showing the brittleness- P-wave
P-wave velocity relationship of the
velocity relationship of the samples
samples of (a) NLC sandstones and (b)
of (a) NLC sandstones and (b) SCCL
SCCL sandstones
sandstones

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 K.B. Chary et al.

(a) to Dr. V.P. Dimri, Director, NGRI for

60
NLC Sandstones
showing keen interest in this work and
encouraging us to publish this.
Drillability Index (kN/mm)
50

40
6. References
30
1. Szlavin J., “Relationships between some
20
physical properties of rock determined by
10 y = 0.0361x - 156.18 laboratory tests”, Int. J. Rock. Mech. Min.
R2 = 0.6226
Sci. & Geomech. Abstr., 11, 57-66, 1974.
0
4200 4400 4600 4800 5000 5200 5400 5600 2. Zhang L, “Engineering Properties of
P-wave velocity (m/sec) Rocks”, Vol. 4, 1-290, Elsevier Publ.,
(b)
Amsterdam, 2005.
10
SCCL Sandstones
3. Hucka V. and Das B., “Brittleness
determination of rocks by different
Drillability index (kN/mm)

8
methods”, Int. J. Rock. Mech. Min. Sci. &
6 Geomech Abstr., 11, 389-392, 1974.
4. Altindag R., “The evaluation of rock
4
brittleness concept on rotary blast hole
2
y = 0.004x - 8.7153 drills”, J. South African Inst. Min.
R2 = 0.5183
Metallurgy, 61-66, 2002.
0 5. Kahraman S. and Altindag R., “A brittleness
2800 3000 3200 3400 3600 3800 4000
P-wave velocity (m/sec) index to estimate fracture toughness”, Int. J.
Rock. Mech. & Min. Sci., 41, 343-348,
2004.
Fig.5: Plots showing the fracture toughness-
P-wave velocity relationship of the 6. Prasanna Lakshmi K.J., Chary K.B., Vijay
samples of (a) NLC sandstones and Kumar N.A., Rao M.V.M.S. and S.K.
(b) SCCL sandstones Verma, “Physical, Mechanical and
Engineering properties of some of the
The density, P-wave velocity and UCS sandstone samples of Mine-I, NLC,
Tamilnadu”, Tech. Report. No: NGRI-2005-
data of the sandstone samples of lignite
LITHOS-517, 31, 2005.
mines (NLC) are found to be higher than
those of the sandstones of coal mines 7. Rao M.V.M.S., Sarma L.P., and Prasanna
Lakshmi K.J., “Ultrasonic pulse broadening
(SCCL).
and attenuation in volcanic rock- A case
study”, Ind. J. Pure. & Appl. Phys., 40, 396-
The engineering properties of NLC 401, 2002.
sandstones are higher than those of SCCL
8. Rao M.V.M.S. and Prasanna Lakshmi K.J.,
sandstones.
“Shear wave propagation in rocks and other
lossy media: An experimental study”, Curr.
The engineering properties of rock are
Sci., 85(8), 1221-1225, 2003.
difficult to obtain directly. Alternatively the
9. Schmidt, E., “A non – destructive concrete
empirical relationships can be used to
tester”, Concrete, 59(8), 34-35, 1951.
estimate the engineering properties of rock.
We got a good relationship between the 10. Kahraman S., Balci, C.,Yazici, S. and
Bilgin, N., “Prediction of the penetration
engineering properties and P-wave velocity
rate of rotary blast hole drills using a new
data of sandstones. drillability index”, Int. J. rock Mech.and
Min. Sc., 37, 729-743, 2000.
5. Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Dr. S.K.
Verma for providing us the sandstone
samples from NLC. Our thanks are also due

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Table 1: Summary of results of density, P-wave velocity, Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS)
measurements and engineering properties of NLC and SCCL sandstones

Density VP UCS FT DI
B RN
g/cc m/sec MPa MPa m1/2 kN/mm
Sandstones from Lignite mines (NLC)
Number of samples:
30

Range 1.703-2.984 2088-5407 10.92-164.10 5.96-1346.44 31.56-63.82 0.24-2.44 1.91-54.71

Average (2.365) (4669) (80.72) (424.30) (52.78) (1.30) (23.76)

Sandstones from Coal mines (SCCL)

Number of samples: 50

Range 2.080-2.319 2833-3831 15.00-37.51 11.25-70.35 35.34-46.25 0.31-0.69 2.84-8.81

Average (2.206) (3345) (24.60) (31.69) (40.93) (0.48) (5.27)

VP : P-wave velocity; UCS : Uniaxial compressive strength; B : Brittleness;
RN : Schmidt’s Rebound Number; FT : Fracture Toughness; DI : Drillability Index;

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