ENGINEERING GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION OF BLOCK-IN-MATRIX ROCKS

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Published: Jul 27, 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/bgsg.11793
Keywords:
Bimrock Mélange Red Flysch Ophiolites
G. Nikolaidis
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London
C. Saroglou
Dept of Geotechnics, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens
Abstract

Block-in-matrix rocks (“bimrocks”) are complex, mixed and heterogeneous formations of competent blocks embedded in weaker matrix. The inherent difficulty of sampling and consequently, laboratory testing of bimrocks leads to considerable challenging in geotechnical design and assessment of their engineering behaviour. An approach for the characterisation of “bimrocks” is the use of stereological analysis that extrapolates one-dimensional or two dimensional data to estimate the block volumetric proportion. This has been an established approach of dealing with bimrocks and melanges for the last two decades. This paper presents the parameters that are considered important for the engineering characterisation of such complex formations, while a case study from a bimrock in NW Greece is discussed.

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  • Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology, Urban Geology
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