Anisotropy of wadi lisb marble

Abstract EN

Anisotropy in rocks substantially affects its engineering properties.

Anisotropy is more to be expected in metamorphic and sedimentary rocks due to the presence of foliation or bedding.

In addition, mechanical weathering in arid areas also induces anisotropy in most types of rocks.

Wadi Lisb marble has been investigated at an earlier stage of its exploitation and was found to contain microfissures parallel to the regional foliation trends.

This investigation was performed on deeper levels with better quality marble.

The investigation revealed, to some extent, the effect of foliation or microfissuring orientation angle on the engineering properties of the marble.

The obtained U-type deformation indicated the presence of one direction of microfissuring.

The modulus of elasticity curves show the U-type form and an overall decrease in values as measured with the gauges mounted along the strike of the discontinuities.

The Poisson’s ratio, on the other hand, showed a highly scattered relationship.

However, the overall values measured with strain gauges mounted along the line of true dip of the discontinuity planes are lower than those measured with gauges mounted along the strike.

The variation in the orientation angle showed no effect on the dynamic properties of the Lisb marble.

The U-type behavior of the Lisb marble and the improvement in its physical properties indicate a simple form of discontinuity and consequently an improvement in its quality.

As the marble has only one direction of weakness, the orientation of the cut blocks could be selected accordingly.