Estimating the uniaxial compressive strength of rocks using P-wave velocity values from a large database

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 3, 819 - 828, 15.09.2025

Hakan Ersoy , Muhammet Oğuz Sünnetci , Murat Karahan , Arzu Fırat Ersoy

https://doi.org/10.17714/gumusfenbil.1682304

Abstract

This study evaluates the statistical relationship between the uniaxial compressive strength (σci) of rocks and the P-wave velocity (Vp) and aims to develop a prediction model based on a large database for the estimation of σci. Although σci is a fundamental parameter in geotechnical and engineering applications, its experimental determination on samples complying with standards is time-consuming. On the other hand, P-wave velocity measurements stand out as a relatively fast, non-destructive and practical method, thus offering an attractive alternative in terms of strength estimation. Within the scope of the study, the data obtained from laboratory tests on 467 samples belonging to 70 different lithologies were combined with 740 samples in the literature and a large data set consisting of a total of 1207 samples was created. As a result of simple regression analyses performed on this data set, the highest correlation coefficient was obtained in the exponential model (R² = 0.72). However, due to its ease of application and similar accuracy level, the linear regression model (σci = 0.032Vp - 52) was recommended for practical application (R² = 0.70). With the t-tests performed on the prediction model, it was determined that both the independent variables used in the model and the model itself were statistically significant at the 95% significance level (p < 0.05). The results show that samples with a Vp value above 6000 m/s mostly have a σci value above 100 MPa, while samples below 3000 m/s mostly have a σci value below 75 MPa. In this context, prediction models based on VP data can be quite useful in the rapid estimation of σci, especially before laboratory experiments.

Keywords

Statistical analysis , P-wave velocity , Regression analysis , Prediction model , Uniaxial compressive strength

Kayaların tek eksenli basınç dayanımının geniş bir veritabanına ait P-dalga hızı değerleriyle tahmin edilmesi

Abstract

Bu çalışma, kayaçların tek eksenli basınç dayanımı (σci) ile boyuna dalga hızı (Vp) arasındaki istatistiksel ilişkiyi değerlendirmekte ve σci’nin tahminine yönelik olarak geniş bir veritabanına dayanan bir tahmin modeli geliştirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. σci, jeoteknik ve mühendislik uygulamalarında temel bir parametre olmasına karşın standartlara uygun örnekler üzerinde deneysel olarak belirlenmesi zaman alıcı olmaktadır. Buna karşın, boyuna dalga hızı ölçümleri nispeten hızlı, tahribatsız ve pratik bir yöntem olarak öne çıkmakta, dolayısıyla dayanım tahmini açısından cazip bir alternatif sunmaktadır. Çalışma kapsamında, 70 farklı litolojiye ait 467 adet örnek üzerinde yapılan laboratuvar deneylerinden elde edilen veriler, literatürde yer alan 740 örnekle birleştirilmiş ve toplamda 1207 örnekten oluşan geniş bir veri seti oluşturulmuştur. Bu veri seti üzerinden gerçekleştirilen basit regresyon analizleri sonucunda en yüksek korelasyon katsayısı eksponansiyel modelde elde edilmiştir (R² = 0.72). Ancak uygulama kolaylığı ve benzer doğruluk düzeyi nedeniyle doğrusal regresyon modelinin (σci = 0.032Vp - 52) pratikte uygulanması önerilmiştir. Tahmin modeli üzerinde gerçekleştirilen t-testleriyle hem modelde kullanılan bağımsız değişkenlerin hem de modelin kendisinin %95 anlamlılık düzeyinde (p < 0.05) istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuçlar, Vp değeri 6000 m/s’nin üzerinde olan örneklerin çoğunlukla 100 MPa’ın üzerinde σci değerine, 3000 m/s altındaki örneklerin ise 75 MPa altında σci değerine sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu bağlamda, VP verilerine dayalı tahmin modelleri, özellikle laboratuvar deneylerinden önce σci’nin hızlı bir şekilde kestirilmesi konusunda oldukça faydalı olabilmektedir.

Keywords

İstatistiksel analiz , P-dalga hızı , Regresyon analizi , Tahmin modeli , Tek eksenli basınç dayanımı

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