Rock Mechanics, Fuenkajorn & Phien-wej (eds) 2009.

ISBN 978 974 533 624 7

351
Correlations between mechanical and ultrasonic wave
properties of claystone from Mae Moh coal mine

L. Wannakao & S. Sriputorn
Geotechnology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

J. Trirat
Geotechnical division, Mae Moh mine, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand,
Thailand






Keywords: Strength, deformation modulus, ultrasonic, claystone

ABSTRACT: Twenty five cylindrical specimens of claystone of under-burden (UB) Q coal
seam from 5 boreholes at various depths have been studied in this preliminary research. The
specimens are classified, based on their depth, into three groups: shallow, intermediate and
deep UB. Ultrasonic velocity test has been performed to determine their P and S wave
velocity properties. Dynamic elastic (Ed), shear moduli (G) and Poissons ratio of the rocks
are determined. The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and elastic modulus (Es) of the
specimens are obtained from conventional uniaxial compression test. Correlations between
UCS, Es to wave velocities and dynamic moduli have been established. Basic physical
properties, such as density, grain size distribution, liquid and plastic limits, plasticity index
are measured to identify the primary factors affecting the mechanical properties. The results
indicate that the UCS and Es of the UB claystone can be estimated from the non-destructive
and quick ultrasonic test.

1 INTRODUCTION

Mae Moh coal mine, located in Lampang province, northern Thailand, is the largest and
deepest open pit in the country. A typical stratigraphic column and geotechnical profile of
the Mae Moh Basin is depicted in Figure 1. Many slope failures in the pits have been caused
by the greenish to grey claystone underneath the thick coal seams. Limiting equilibrium
method alone is not adequate to assess their stability because the excavation is deep and the
rocks are relatively soft. Rock deformation needs to be taken into consideration in the
stability analysis. This requires representative Youngs modulus and Poissons ratio of the
rocks. Claystone specimens were selected from 4 bore holes located at the west rim of
Central Pit and another bore hole at the middle of South East Pit (Table 1). The specimens
were classified into UB shallow, UB intermediate and UB deep, for depth ranging of 0-50 m,
50-100 m, and greater than 100 m.

The objective of this research is to predict the compressive strength and elastic modulus of
UB Claystone using non-destructive ultrasonic velocity test. The laboratory experiment
involves measuring the P and S velocities through cylindrical claystone specimens. The P
and S wave velocities and dynamic elastic moduli are determined and compared with those
obtained from the uniaxial compression testing. The UCS and Es are correlated with those
obtained from the dynamic properties. The main interest is to establish their mathematical
Correlations between mechanical and ultrasonic wave properties of claystone from Mae Moh coal mine
352
relations. The effect of physical properties such as plasticity index, grain size and moisture
are also examined.
























Figure 1. Stratigraphic column and geotechnical profile of Mae Moh Basin (ADAB, 1985).

Table 1. List of 5 boreholes and their depth and location.

Bore Holes
Depth
(m)
No.
Specimens
Location
LMG 926G 4-11 4 UB shallow over the R coal seam, Central pit
LMG 928G 8-20 8 UB shallow , Central pit
LMG 911/1G 76-91 2 UB intermediate, Central pit
LMG 927G 54-90 3 UB intermediate, over S coal seam Central pit
LMG 925G 348-368 8
UB deep, right under Q coal seam, South East
pit

2 LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS

2.1 Specimen Preparation

Core specimens of claystone with nominal diameter of 60.7 mm and length to diameter ratio
of two were prepared by dry cutting and end trimming at the mine site. Twenty five
specimens were obtained. All specimens were wrapped with plastic and thin foil before
storing in metal core box. The specimens were then tightly secured with paraffin. They were
transported to Geomechnanics Laboratory, department of Geotechnology, Khon Kaen
University for ultrasonic and uniaxial compression test. Some of the prepared specimens are
shown in Figure 2.
Rock Mechanics, Fuenkajorn & Phien-wej (eds) 2009. ISBN 978 974 533 624 7
353


Figure 2. Example of cylindrical specimens of claystone.

2.1 Ultrasonic Velocity Test

The specimens are tested under the ultrasonic wave velocities. The compressional and shear
waves velocities (Vp, Vs) are measured using OYO Ultrsonic Veiwer 5217A. The method
follows the ASTM D 2845-00. The zero-time and wave form is first calibrated by generating
pulse between transmitter and receiver without specimen. The specimen is placed between P
and S wave transmitter and receiver, then ultrasonic pulse is generated. The travel time of P
wave (t
p
) is first arrival signal, while the S wave travel time (t
s
) is determined from phase
difference of wave form (Figure 3). Their Vp and Vs are calculated from the length divided
by their travel time. Dynamic elastic moduli, i.e. elastic modulus (Ed), modulus of rigidity
(G) and Poisson ratio () are calculated from the following equations:

( )
( )
(
(

=
1 V V
4 V V 3
V
E
2
s p
2
s p
2
s
(1)



Figure 3. OYO Ultrasonic Viewer and signal recording for t
p
and t
s
determinations.
UB shallow
UB intermediate UB deep
Correlations between mechanical and ultrasonic wave properties of claystone from Mae Moh coal mine
354
|
|

\
|

=
2
s
2
p
2
s
2
p
2
s
V V
V 4 V 3
V
E (2)

( )
( ) 1 V V
1 V V
2
s p
2
s p
2
1

= =
( )
2
s
2
p
2
s
2
p
V V 2
V 2 V

(3)

2
s
V G = (4)

Ed = dynamic elastic modulus (Pa)
G = modulus of rigidity (Pa)
= Poissons ratio
= density (kg/m
3
)
V
p
, V
s
= compression and shear wave velocities (m/s)

The dynamic wave velocities and elastic deformation constants are listed in Table 2.

2.2 Uniaxial Compressive Strength

As claystone core specimens have a cohesive clay soil behavior, the laboratory determination
follows ASTM D 2116 for UCS and Es. Each specimen was axially loaded with axial
deformation recording to failure at a constant loading rate of 0.3 mm/minute. Moisture
content of each specimens was determined. The rest of the tested specimens were used for
physical properties determination. The calculated UCSs and Es at 50% strength are
summarized in Table 3. Typical stress-strain curves of each claystone as UB shallow,
intermediate and deep groups are given in Figure 4.

2.3 Physical Properties

Some broken tested specimens were selected for physical properties, such as specific gravity
(ASTM D 854), liquid and plastic limits (ASTM D 4318), and grain size distribution,
hydrometer test (ASTM D422). Summary of these properties are given in Table 4.

3 CORRELATION BETWEEN STATIC AND DYNAMIC PROPERTIES

The UCS and Es at 50% strength are plotted on a Deer and Millers strength classification
chart (Figure 5). The UB shallow and intermediate claystones at the central pit have the
modulus ratio of 50-100, while the UB deep claystone at the South West pit has the ratio of
100-200. The chart indicates that all UB claystone can be classified as very low strength with
low modulus ratio (EL).

P and S wave velocities and uniaxial compressive strength are plotted in Figures 6 and 7.
The graphs in Figure 5 reveal three distinct exponential trends, while Figure 7 shows the UB
shallow claystone trend not conform to the others. If Vp of the UB claystone are known,
such as from seismic exploration, then UCS of UB shallow, intermediate and deep claystone
can be estimated from the following equations:
Rock Mechanics, Fuenkajorn & Phien-wej (eds) 2009. ISBN 978 974 533 624 7
355
Table 2. Summary of wave velocities and dynamic deformation moduli.

Bore hole Depth, m Vp, m/s Vs, m/s Vp/Vs G, GPa Ed. GPa
4.25-4.63 1996.9 988.3 2.02 1.99 5.33 0.34
5.00-5.42 1905.1 967.1 1.97 1.91 5.06 0.33
5.70-5.95 1870.7 872.1 2.14 1.54 4.20 0.36
LMG926G
11.32-11.62 1942.1 1008.4 1.93 2.09 5.51 0.32
8.23-8.53 1853.7 350.1 5.29 0.26 0.76 0.48
9.60-10.00 1918.2 452.1 4.24 0.44 1.29 0.47
10.26-10.49 1464.5 379.4 3.86 0.30 0.86 0.46
13.56-13.83 1810.0 541.5 3.34 0.61 1.78 0.45
15.58-15.72 1575.0 459.9 3.43 0.44 1.27 0.45
16.48-16.80 1495.2 427.2 3.50 0.37 1.08 0.46
18.23-18.46 1447.7 498.0 2.91 0.50 1.44 0.43
LMG928G
19.59-19.78 1436.0 428.8 3.35 0.38 1.11 0.45
76.25-76.43 1027.8 448.8 2.29 0.40 1.12 0.38
LMG 911/1G
90.20-90.40 1688.5 529.4 3.19 0.63 1.81 0.45
54.45-54.78 1446.6 768.3 1.88 1.22 3.19 0.30
87.75-87.88 554.8 297.4 1.87 0.19 0.48 0.30 LMG 927 G
88.30-88.47 426.7 247.4 1.73 0.13 0.32 0.25
348.40-348.75 1107.0 678.5 1.63 0.95 2.27 0.20
350.28-350.45 965.9 526.9 1.83 0.62 1.59 0.29
351.05-351.37 1087.9 717.0 1.52 1.11 2.48 0.12
356.70-357.00 963.3 557.7 1.73 0.68 1.69 0.25
359.70-359.95 1246.1 714.0 1.75 1.03 2.59 0.26
360.80-360.98 909.3 548.7 1.66 0.66 1.59 0.21
363.82-364.00 961.4 524.4 1.83 0.55 1.42 0.29
LMG 925 G
367.58-367.90 678.8 423.7 1.60 0.39 0.92 0.18

Table 3. Uniaxial compressive strength and static elastic modulus of UB claystone.

Bore hole Depth, m UCS, MPa Es, GPa
Modulus Ratio,
Es/UCS
Moisture
content, %
4.25-4.63 5.07 0.30 58.5 18.12
5.00-5.42 4.56 0.42 91.8 20.81
5.70-5.95 3.06 0.23 76.1 19.12
LMG926G
11.32-11.62 6.19 0.39 63.5 19.73
8.23-8.53 2.84 0.30 107.4 17.58
9.60-10.00 4.25 0.30 70.2 16.06
10.26-10.49 3.51 0.22 62.1 18.89
13.56-13.83 4.01 0.29 73.4 17.62
15.58-15.72 5.52 0.33 60.5 15.69
16.48-16.80 3.66 0.38 102.6 18.25
18.23-18.46 5.52 0.36 65.6 17.99
LMG928G
19.59-19.78 1.94 0.27 140.8 17.39
76.25-76.43 4.07 0.38 94.1 17.75
LMG 911/1G
90.20-90.40 3.84 0.98 254.0 11.25

Correlations between mechanical and ultrasonic wave properties of claystone from Mae Moh coal mine
356
Table 3. Uniaxial compressive strength and static elastic modulus of UB claystone (cont.).

Bore hole Depth, m UCS, MPa Es, GPa
Modulus Ratio,
Es/UCS
Moisture
content, %
54.45-54.78 5.87 0.46 78.9 14.83
87.75-87.88 1.91 0.12 62.5 16.67 LMG 927 G
88.30-88.47 1.07 0.02 18.7 17.48
348.40-348.75 5.88 0.77 130.6 13.67
350.28-350.45 8.87 1.23 138.5 10.49
351.05-351.37 6.60 0.54 82.6 10.39
356.70-357.00 5.79 0.72 124.5 11.29
359.70-359.95 10.02 0.92 92.2 12.19
360.80-360.98 5.87 0.85 144.6 11.36
363.82-364.00 6.48 0.67 103.2 12.88
LMG 925 G
367.58-367.90 4.15 0.65 157.2 10.61



Figure 4. Some stressstrain relationship of UB shallow, intermediate and deep.

Table 4. Summary of physical properties of UB claystone.


Rock Mechanics, Fuenkajorn & Phien-wej (eds) 2009. ISBN 978 974 533 624 7
357


Figure 5. Deer and Miller classification of UB Claystone.

Vp-UCS of UB Claystone
y = 1.8704e
0.0013x
R
2
= 0.591
y = 0.9474e
0.0011x
R
2
= 0.7348
y = 1.8558e
0.0004x
R
2
= 0.0869
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Vp (m/s)
U
C
S

(
M
P
a
)
UB shallow
UB int ermediat e
UB deep


Figure 6. Correlations between UCS and Vp of UB Claystone.
Correlations between mechanical and ultrasonic wave properties of claystone from Mae Moh coal mine
358
Vs-UCS of UB Claystone
y = 2.8399e
0.0014x
R
2
= 0.2983
y = 0.7231e
0.003x
R
2
= 0.8241
y = 2.8389e
0.0006x
R
2
= 0.1876
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Vs (m/s)
U
C
S

(
M
P
a
)
UB shallow
UB int ermediat e
UB deep


Figure 7. Correlations between UCS and Vs.

UCS = 1.86 e
0.0004Vp
(5)

UCS = 0.95e
0.0011Vp
(6)

UCS =1.86e
0.0013Vp
(7)

The dynamic wave velocities are also plotted against both static and dynamic moduli as
illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. The graphs reveal that Es of the UB intermediate claystone has
tendency conform almost fit in the same line as Ed in both Vp and Vs correlation.

A Graph of Es to Ed is presented in Figure 10. It reveals dynamic moduli are higher than the
static ones. A linear regression with intercept at zero origin is used to analyze the relation
using equations below:

Es = 0.09Ed (8)

Es = 0.25Ed (9)

Es = 0.40Ed (10)

The Es to Ed ratios (ER) to Velocity ratio (VR=Vp/Vs) are also examined. The graph from
Figure 11 reveals conformable three exponential trend lines for three claystone groups. The
relationship could be presented as following equations;

ER = 0.25e
0.6VR
(11)

Rock Mechanics, Fuenkajorn & Phien-wej (eds) 2009. ISBN 978 974 533 624 7
359
Vp-Es, Vp-Ed of UB Claystone
y = 15.545e
0.0025x
R
2
= 0.8321
y = 249.48e
0.0001x
R
2
= 0.0199
y = 247.86e
0.002x
R
2
= 0.9155
y = 194.91e
0.0016x
R
2
= 0.8586
y = 596.37e
0.0003x
R
2
= 0.0307
y = 36.416e
0.0023x
R
2
= 0.451
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Vp (m/s)
E
l
a
s
t
i
c

M
o
d
u
l
u
s

(
M
P
a
)

Es UB shallow
Es UB int ermediate
Es UB deep
Ed shallow
Ed intermediate
Ed deep


Figure 8. Correlations between Es, Ed and Vp.

Vs-Es, Vs-Ed of UB Claystone
y = 17.255e
0.0055x
R
2
= 0.5543
y = 271.54e
0.0002x
R
2
= 0.083
y = 269.34e
0.0032x
R
2
= 0.9592
y = 194.91e
0.0016x
R
2
= 0.8586
y = 871.58e
-0.0002x
R
2
= 0.0076
y = 323.58e
0.0029x
R
2
= 0.9873
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
0 500 1000 1500 2000
Vs (m/s)
E
l
a
s
t
i
c

M
o
d
u
l
u
s

(
M
P
a
)

Es UB shallow
Es UB int ermediat e
Es UB deep
Ed shallow
Ed intermediate
Ed deep


Figure 9. Correlations between Ed, Es and Vs of UB claystone.
Correlations between mechanical and ultrasonic wave properties of claystone from Mae Moh coal mine
360
Es - Ed of UB Claystone
y = 0.086x
R
2
= -8.5345
y = 0.4015x
R
2
= -1.3107
y = 0.2487x
R
2
= 0.2833
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Dynamic Elastic Modulus, Ed (GPa)
S
t
a
t
i
c

E
l
a
s
t
i
c

M
o
d
u
l
u
s

(
G
P
a
)

UB shallow
UB intermediate
UB deep
Es=Ed


Figure 10. Es as a function of Ed.


Vp/Vs to Es/Ed of UB Claystone
y = 0.0182e
1.8883x
R
2
= 0.2636
y = 0.0173e
1.1391x
R
2
= 0.6624
y = 0.0245e
0.6023x
R
2
= 0.7451
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
Velocity Ratio, Vp/Vs
E
s
/
E
d
UB shallow
UB int ermediate
UB deep


Figure 11. Elastic modulus ratio (ER = Es/Ed) vs. velocity ratio (VR = Vp/Vs).

Rock Mechanics, Fuenkajorn & Phien-wej (eds) 2009. ISBN 978 974 533 624 7
361
ER = 0.02e
1.1VR
(12)

ER = 0.02e
1.89VR
(13)

A correlation between ER and dynamic Poissons ratio of the rocks is illustrated in Figure 12.
The graph shows three similar conformable exponential trends.

4 INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

The influence of moisture content on the dynamic wave velocity has been observed as shown
in Figure 13. The results indicate that the wave velocity increases with increasing moisture,
especially for Vs. All UB claystone groups have high silt and very fine sand fractions, as
indicated in Table 4 and Figure 14. The UB deep claystone specimens exhibit higher
strength, modulus ratio and wave velocity according to their physical properties. They have
lower plasticity index and higher silt and sand fractions than the others. In addition they were
taken from the greater depth. The measured P wave velocities are scatter due to some micro-
cracks in the specimens. The UB shallow and UB intermediate claystone may be grouped
into one unit. However, the reason of separating them is due to the difference location
associated with R and S coal seams. More specimens should be tested to provide a good
correlation charts between dynamic and static strength and modulus properties.

5 CONCLUSIONS

Claystones under the Q coal seam at the Central Pit have silt and clay fractions about 83-90%
with PI 16-18 %, while at the South East Pit have the fraction about 80% with the lower PI
about 11-13%. The rocks are categorized as: UB shallow, intermediate and deep claystones


Poisson's Ratio to Es/Ed of UB Claystone
y = 0.1887e
3.8433x
R
2
= 0.3005
y = 0.0078e
9.8237x
R
2
= 0.8479
y = 0.0019e
10.729x
R
2
= 0.8519
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Dynamic Poisson's Ratio
E
s
/
E
d
UB shallow
UB intermediate
UB deep


Figure 12. Correlation between Poissons ratio and elastic modulus ratio.
Correlations between mechanical and ultrasonic wave properties of claystone from Mae Moh coal mine
362
Vp-Water content (%) of Claystone
5
10
15
20
25
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Vp (m/s)
W
a
t
e
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

(
%
)
UB Shallow and intermediate
UB Deep

Vs-Water content (%) of Claystone
0
5
10
15
20
25
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Vs (m/s)
W
a
t
e
r

c
o
n
t
e
n
t

(
%
)
UB Shallow and intermediate
UB Deep


Figure 13. Correlation between moisture content and wave velocities.

Plasticity Chart
A
-
L
in
e








P
I
=

0
.7
3
(
W
L
-
2
0
)

.

0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 50 100
Liquid Limit (%)
P
l
a
s
t
i
c
i
t
y


I
n
d
e
x

(
%
)
.
CL-ML
CL
ML and OL
OH and MH
CH


Figure 14. Plasticity charts for UB Claystones.

Rock Mechanics, Fuenkajorn & Phien-wej (eds) 2009. ISBN 978 974 533 624 7
363
according to the depth units. The shear, dynamic elastic moduli and Poissons ratio averaged
for each category are (0.9, 2.47, 0.42), (0.51, 1.38, 0.34) and (0.75, 1.82, 0.22) for UB
shallow, intermediate and deep respectively. The static compressive strength and elastic
moduli (UCS MPa, Es GPa, Modulus ratio) are (4.18, 0.32, 81), (3.35, 0.39, 101.6) and (6.71,
0.79, 121.7). The static elastic moduli of each group could be simply calculated by: Es =
0.09Ed, Es = 0.25Ed, Es = 0.40Ed or predicted from the Elastic modulus ratio (ER) to
velocity ratio (VR) as ER = 0.25e
0.6VR
, ER = 0.02e
1.1VR,
ER = 0.02e
1.89VR
for UB shallow,
intermediate and deep claystones respectively. More testing is required to confirm and
improve the correlations between these properties.

ACKNOWLEDGTMENT

This study is funded by Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. Permission to publish
this paper is gratefully acknowledged.

REFERENCES

ADAB, 1985. Mae Moh geotechnical report vol. 1 to 5. Report to EGAT.
ASTM D 2845-00, 2001. Standard test method for laboratory determination of pulse
velocities and ultrasonic elastic constants of rock. ASTM International.
ASTM D 422, 1963. Standard test method for particle-size analysis of soils. ASTM
International.
ASTM D 4318, 2005. Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index
of soils. ASTM International.
ASTM D 854, 2006. Standard test methods for specific gravity of soil solids by water
pycnometer. ASTM International.
Fahimifar, A. & Sorough, H., 2003. Evaluation of some physical and mechanical properties
of rocks using ultrasonic pulse technique and presenting equations between dynamic
and static elastic constants. ISRM 2003-Technology Roadmap for Rock Mechanics.
South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. pp. 1113-1118.
Fourmaintraux, D., 1976. Characterization of rocks: laboratory tests. Chapter II in
Introduction to Rock Mechanics, by Goodman, R.E.
Olsen, C.,Christensen, H.F. & Fabricius, I.L., 2008. Static and dynamic Youngs moduli of
chalk from the North Sea. Geophysics. 73(2): E41-E50.
Wannakao, L., Wannakao, P., Youngme, W. & Rasuwan, I., 2007. The use of ultrasonic and
seismic waves to evaluate engineering properties of weathered sandstones. In
Proceedings of the First Thailand Symposium on Rock Mechanics. Suranaree
University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima. pp. 299-321.