Because the preparation of specimens from some smooth rocks such as serpentinites can often be difficult and expensive, the development of some predictive equations for the determination of their dynamic and mechanical properties as well as the degree of serpentinization would be useful. In this study, pulse transmission techniques were applied to estimate the above-mentioned characteristics using an indirect, but easy, fast and economical method. Serpentinite samples, taken from central Greece, were examined and the relationships between ultrasonic wave velocities and determined rock properties were investigated. The equations of the fitted lines and the determination coefficients (
R
2
) were calculated using the method of least-squares regression (simple regression analysis). The 95% confidence intervals are also presented. It is concluded that the degree of serpentinization and the dynamic and mechanical properties of serpentinites can be estimated from compressional- and shear-wave velocities using ultrasonic techniques.
Ultrabasic rocks, taken from the Othrys mt. (Central Greece), are studied in this paper. The structural geology and tectonics of the study area are described. Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) and dry unit weight (γ) values are calculated and fracture angles are measured. The results are statistically assessed and empirical relationships (exponential equations) between UCS and γ are presented for the ultrabasic roch, divided in Peridotites, Serpentinised Peridotites and Serpentinites. Due to the low correlation coefficient of the Serpentinised Peridotites, it was decided that the Serpentinised Peridotites and Serpentinites should be examined together. The correlation coefficient of the combined category is much better than the separate ones. Furthermore, this paper demonstrates that the majority of the ultrabasic rocks tested were breaking at one angle (φ°), which mainly fluctuated between 75° and 90°. The fracture angles correlate with previously recognised geological (mainly tectonic) structures. The observed deviations are due to pétrographie variety, structural complexity, preferred orientation of olivine and orthopyroxene and internal imprinted tectonic deformation.
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