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Procedia Engineering 191 (2017) 419 425

Symposium of the International Society for Rock Mechanics

Physico-Mechanical Behaviour of Metamorphic Rocks in Rohtang

Tunnel, Himachal Pradesh, India
Tarun Singh*, Ashwani Jain, K.S. Rao
Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khaz, New Delhi 110016, India

Abstract

The design of underground structures such as road tunnels, railways tunnels, hydro tunnels etc. depends on the data gathered
through the physical and mechanical parameters of rocks. These geotechnical parameters of rock play a signicant role in
the design, safety, stability and maintenance of underground structures. The rocks, when subjected to heterogeneous in-situ
stress-elds created by overburden, tectonic and gravitational stresses, which is locally complicated by water pressure and
stresses, persuade due to excavations. The physical and mechanical parameters play very important role in a precise forecast of
rock behaviour under such inconsistent conditions. The mechanical properties of rocks change with density, porosity, variation of
mineral assemblage, grain size, texture and effective pressures acting on them. Changes in physico-mechanical properties in
metamorphic rocks lead to corresponding variations in failure pattern.
A comprehensive study has been undertaken using three varieties of rocks obtained from the vicinity of Rohtang Tunnel in
the Himalayan region. Attention has been paid to their petrographic and petrofabric analysis through scanning electron
microscope (SEM) and thin sections, and physical and geotechnical properties. Various correlations between porosity, density,
resistivity, sonic wave velocity in dry and saturated specimens of phyllitic and gneissic rock have been studied. Various relations
have been produced between mineral compositions, porosity and density of rocks with the help of SEM and physical properties.
Strength and deformation behaviour of the rocks under uniaxial compression, brazilian tension and oblique shear, in both dry and
saturated states are also defined and compared with various properties. This paper highlights various relations analysed in
conjunction with data on the physical and mechanical properties of metamorphic rocks.
2017
2017TheTheAuthors.
Authors. Published
Published by Elsevier
by Elsevier Ltd. is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
Ltd. This
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of EUROCK 2017.
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of EUROCK 2017
Keywords: physical properties; phyllite; SEM; UCS; mechanical properties; cohesion; modulus of elasticity; brazilian tensile strength

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +91-956-079-2368.

E-mail address: tarun.iitd@outlook.com

1877-7058 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of EUROCK 2017
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2017.05.199
420 Tarun Singh et al. / Procedia Engineering 191 (2017) 419 425

1. Introduction

The construction of 8.8 km long two-lane bi-directional Rohtang highway tunnel above 3000 m from MSL across
Rohtang Pass near Manali in Kullu district is of strategic importance from the defence point of view as it will
provide all weather connectivity between Manali and Keylong, the head quarter of Lahul-Spiti district.
A comprehensive study has been undertaken using three varieties of rocks namely phyllitic quartzite (PQ), quartzitic
phyllite (QP) and Migmatic gneiss (MG) obtained from the study area (south portal, Rohtang tunnel) in
the Himalayan region.
The physico-mechanical behaviour of rocks depends on the intrinsic properties such as mineralogical
composition, texture and porosity [1]. The petrographic and petrofabric analysis with the help of SEM and thin
sections have been conducted to identify rock texture and micropores. In general, the physico- mechanical properties
of jointed rock masses are important for performance prediction and the design of engineering structures built on
and in rock masses [2, 3, 4]. Therefore, a detailed physico-mechanical assessment of these three rocks types is
warranted. Variation of strength and deformation behaviour has also been considered in correlations to porosity,
density, resistivity and sonic wave velocity. Natural hazards like flash floods and cloudbursts are frequent in
Rohtang area [5, 6], thus all tests are conducted under both dry and saturated conditions.

2. Lithology of the area and sample collection

The surface geology reveals that the rock types constituting the tunnel lithounits from south portal comprises of
uniformly dipping alternate sequence of quartzitic schist, intermixing of quartzitic phyllite/phyllitic quartzite and
phyllite whereas the north portal starts with a sequence of biotite mica schist and migmatic gneiss. In general,
the average trend of dip direction is 220q and plunge of foliation of these rocks is 350q along with three dominant
joints planes and one random joint plane. The phyllitic quartzite and quartzitic phyllite rock samples were collected
from the south portal side and migmatic gneiss samples had been collected from the north portal slope near
the tunnel.
Phyllitic quartzite: This rock comprises of sub-angular to sub-rounded, hard, dark grey crystals of quartz and
laths of biotite with minor iron minerals such as sericite, tourmaline etc. It shows equigranular in texture and quartz
grains are welded together.
Quartzitic phyllite: This rock shows equigranular texture and is essentially composed of biotite, quartz and
muscovite minerals. The laths of mica are also associated with crystals of dark grey quartz. Schistosity is well
developed and occasional veins of quartz are common. The rock is soft as compared to phyllitic quartzite.
Migmatic gneiss: This rock comprises of sub-angular to sub-rounded coarse grains crystals of light-colored
quartz and feldspar with dark-colored amphibole and biotite rich material generating a gneissose structure.
The strength of rock is less in comparison to phyllites.

3. Experimental setup

To determine the physico-mechanical behavior of the rocks, various tests have been conducted following Bureau
of Indian Standards (BIS) and International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) standards on cylindrical rock
specimens drilled using NX diamond core drill bit. These tests have been relegated under following major
categories: I). Petrographic analysis to determine the mineral composition and fabric of rock, which includes thin
section and scanning electron microscope tests. II). Physical properties to determine density, porosity, saturation,
durability etc. and III). Mechanical properties to determine geotechnical parameters. The details of these are in
Table 1.
 Tarun Singh et al. / Procedia Engineering 191 (2017) 419 425 421

Table 1. List of laboratory tests conducted and ISRM adopted standards.

Test Test Parameters Standard Adopted

Petrographic analysis Studies of thin section ISRM (1978)
SEM
Porosity IS:3030-1991
Density IS:3030-1991
Resistivity Index IS:14436-1997
Physical properties
Specific Gravity IS:2720-1981, Part III
Sonic Wave Velocity IS:13311-1992, Part-I
Slake Durability Index IS: 10050- 1981
Uniaxial Compressive Strength IS:9143- 1979
Mechanical properties Brazilian Tensile Strength IS:10082-1981
Oblique Shear Strength [7]

4. Physical properties

4.1. Mineralogy

To determine the mineralogy of rock specimens, thin sections microscopy is carried out. The thin section
analysis of phyllitic quartzite revealed the presence of quartz (with or without ribbon quartz), plagioclase feldspar,
albite, ilmenite along with sigma type porphyroclast of quartz and feldspar with foliation defined by biotite;
quartzitic phyllite is mainly comprised of quartz, diopside, calcite, tourmaline, zircon and biotite; and migmatic
gneiss has polygonised quartz, biotite, plagioclase feldspar, microcline, clinozoisite, zircon, sphene, tourmaline and
apatite.

(a) Phyllitic quartzite (b) Quartzitic phyllite (c) Migmatic gneiss

Fig. 1. Thin section petrographic analysis for (a) Phyllitic quartzite; (b) Quartzitic phyllite and (c) Migmatic gneiss; (Qtz=Quartz, Bt=Biotite,
Fsp=Feldspar, Zrn= Zircon, Pl=Plagioclase and Ap=Apatite); scale for (b1) is 500 m and for all other images is 100 m.
422 Tarun Singh et al. / Procedia Engineering 191 (2017) 419 425

4.2. Scanning electron microscopy

The scanning electron microscopic analysis is conducted to investigate surface morphology, minerals
interrelations and packing schemes, crystal shapes and presence of micro and mesoscopic pores within rock fabric.
Figure 2 shows SEM imageries as obtained from Zeiss EVO 50 microscope for 4 mm2 size square, phyllitic
quartzite, quartzitic phyllite and migmatic gneiss specimens. Strongly preferred orientation of minerals is observed
in the case of phyllitic quartzite and quartzitic phyllite while weak parallel bands are seen in migmatic gneiss. Clay
minerals are observed in Fig. a3), Fig. b3) and Fig. c3) images which represent the alteration or weathering of
silicate minerals such as feldspar and plagioclase. Inherent macro fractures are identified in Fig. b2) (quartzitic
phyllite) along with mesoscopic pores. Many microscopic pores and mesoscopic pores are also identified in phyllitic
quartzite and migmatic gneiss Fig. a3), Fig. c2) and Fig. c3). Presence of inherent fractures and pores account for
variation in strength properties as well as account for the variation in rock porosity.

Fig. 2. Scanning electron micrographs of (a) Phyllitic quartzite; (b) Quartzitic phyllite and (c) Migmatic gneiss.

4.3. Index properties

The Index properties as obtained from the laboratory testing of rock specimens have been presented in Table 2.
Both, dry and saturated density is maximum for quartzitic phyllite while its specific gravity is less than phyllitic
 Tarun Singh et al. / Procedia Engineering 191 (2017) 419 425 423

quartzite and equal to migmatic gneiss. Sonic wave velocity is highest for quartzitic phyllite, however, the slake
durability index as per Bureau of Indian standard and Gambles slake durability classification is maximum for
phyllitic quartzite although all these rocks fall in the class of extremely high durability and very high durability
respectively. Water content and porosity is same for phyllitic quartzite and quartzitic phyllite and has a higher
value for migmatic gneiss. Resistivity is highest for quartzitic phyllite in saturated condition.

Table 2. Index properties of phyllitic quartzite (PQ), quartzitic phyllite (QP) and migmatic gneiss (MG).

Rock Type Density Porosity Specific Sonic Wave Velocity Slake Durability Water Resistivity ( m)
(g/cm3) Gravity (km/s) Index Content
Dry Sat. Dry Sat. Id1(%) Id2 (%) Dry Sat.
PQ 2.69 2.70 0.48 2.77 3.65 4.23 99.35 98.93 0.18 2.77E07 6.51E03
QP 2.73 2.73 0.49 2.73 3.99 4.55 99.33 98.78 0.18 6.85E08 7.80E03
MG 2.68 2.69 0.61 2.73 2.52 3.28 98.78 98.04 0.23 2.97E06 5.39E03

5. Mechanical Properties

The geotechnical behavior of rocks can be understood by knowing the strength index properties of that rock such
as uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), shear strength and tensile strength (TS) of rock under different stress
conditions. The results of these strength index properties have been presented in Table 3
For phyllitic quartzite, the maximum and minimum compressive strength in dry condition are 130.68 MPa and
79.05 MPa respectively where as in saturated they are 112.04 MPa and 95.11 MPa respectively. Two types of failure
patterns namely, axial splitting and multiple fracturing have been observed. Axial splitting has occurred in
specimens where quartz content is higher, while multiple fracturing has occurred in specimens with higher UCS
values. For quartzitic phyllite the maximum compressive strength in dry and saturated condition is 156.52 MPa and
102.87 MPa whereas minimum is 77.04 MPa and 73.46 MPa respectively. The multiple fracture failure patterns
have been observed at higher UCS values. For migmatic gneiss the maximum compressive strength in dry and
saturated condition is 48.06 MPa and 46.43 MPa whereas minimum is 45.44 MPa and 40.85 MPa respectively.
For all rock types under brazilian tensile strength, the failure patterns observed are central single to multiple
types. The oblique shear test is used to determine cohesion and angle of internal friction. This test is performed at
a predefined failure plane that corresponds to the orientation of rocks in the tunnel. Obtained values are in complete
correlation with reported values of Feng, 2013 [8]. The deformation modulus and Poissons ratio have been
estimated at 50% of the peak strength for all rocks.

Table 3. Mechanical Properties of phyllitic quartzite (PQ), quartzitic phyllite (QP) and migmatic gneiss (MG).

Rock Type Uniaxial compressive Brazilian tensile Oblique shear strength Poissons Modulus of
strength (MPa) strength (MPa) ratio Elasticity (GPa)
c (MPa) Friction angle (0)
Dry Sat. Dry Sat. Dry Sat. Dry Sat. Dry Sat. Dry Sat.
PQ 105.96 94.49 12.28 11.2 4.02 1.42 34.73 27.09 0.26 0.23 42.91 41.10
QP 112.18 83.26 11.71 9.56 3.33 1.69 37.64 28.39 0.24 0.30 43.57 43.28
MG 46.36 41.22 6.06 5.14 2.99 1.34 38.88 25.34 0.24 0.26 15.05 23.19
424 Tarun Singh et al. / Procedia Engineering 191 (2017) 419 425

6. Discussion

(a) (b)

Fig. 3. (a) Variation of Sonic Wave Velocity with Density and (b) Variation of UCS and Brazilian TS with saturation for PQ, QP and MG rocks.

A comprehensive study of mineralogical, physical and mechanical responses of phyllitic quartzite, quartzitic
phyllite and migmatic gneiss has been carried out to understand their physico-mechanical behavior. SEM and thin
section analysis shows that the mineral constituting the rocks with a preferred orientation causes the rocks to behave
anisotropically. SEM imageries of migmatic gneiss shows many micropores that lead to the 20% more porosity of
this rock compared to phyllitic quartzite and quarzitic phyllite. Phyllites being fine grained and high quartz content
shows two times high tensile and compressive strength and low deformation as compared to migmatic gneiss.
Figure 3.a) shows the relationship between sonic wave velocity (Vs) and rock density. Vs for phyllitic quartzite,
quarzitic phyllite and migmatic gneiss shows a rise of 1.16, 1.14 and 1.30 respectively from dry to a saturated state.
Rise in Vs of migmatic gneiss as compared to phyllitic quartzite and quarzitic phyllite is 120% which is approximate
equals to its 116% higher porosity. The resistivity of rocks also increased with saturation without showing
generalized trend, this can be due to specimen inherent anisotropy. Figure 3.b) shows the variation of UCS and
brazilian tensile strength with saturation. UCS for phyllitic quartzite, quarzitic phyllite and migmatic gneiss shows
a decrement of 10.8%, 25.6% and 10.4% respectively; and brazilian tensile strength shows a decrement of 8.8%,
18.3% and 15.2% respectively upon saturation. In both cases, the decrement is maximum for quarzitic phyllite and
minimum for phyllitic quartzite. Further cohesive strength also decreases by 64.7%, 49.2% and 55% for phyllitic
quartzite, quarzitic phyllite and migmatic gneiss rock specimens upon saturation.
The result obtained in this work are used for support designing and formulation of project report. The tunnel had
been encountered with a high amount of water ingression and therefore rock properties under saturated condition
plays an important role. A further research on the correlation between obtained properties will clarify the detailed
physico-mechanical behaviour of these rocks. As all tested rocks are anisotropic in nature, rock anisotropy [13, 14]
will also influence the rock behaviour under different angle of loading direction.

7. References

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