Geotechnical investigation for the construction of a vault in a rockface for the placement of a gravimeter and a long period seismograph at matjiesfontein, South Africa

dc.contributor.authorCroukamp L.
dc.contributor.authorRossouw J.J.
dc.contributor.authorFourie C.J.S.
dc.contributor.authorCombrinck L.
dc.date.accessioned2012-04-12T08:21:19Z
dc.date.available2012-04-12T08:21:19Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.description.abstractThe aim of the project is to investigate the rock mass parameters at a site in the vicinity of Matjiesfontein (Western Cape Province) so as to ascertain the suitability for the construction of a vault in a rock face. This vault will host a permanent LaCoste and Romberg ultrasensitive gravimeter as well as a long period seismograph. The site is close to the contact between the Dwyka Formation of the Karoo Supergroup and the Witteberg Group, both part of the Cape Supergroup. A site survey, joint analysis, core logging and laboratory testing on rock specimens formed part of the geotechnical investigation. Laboratory tests included unconfined compression strength and point load tests. The data obtained from the fieldwork and laboratory analysis were used to determine the rock quality designation value of the rock, which was subsequently combined with the other parameters to obtain a rock mass rating. All data were utilised to develop a model for best practice construction (e.g. excavated vault in solid rock versus a concrete structure against rock face), as well as to develop a preliminary design for the vault. The results of the geotechnical investigation indicate that the site is suitable for the proposed project. © 2011 December Geological Society of South Africa.
dc.identifier.citationSouth African Journal of Geology
dc.identifier.citation114
dc.identifier.citation04-Mar
dc.identifier.citation561
dc.identifier.citation572
dc.identifier.issn10120750
dc.identifier.other10.2113/gssajg.114.3-4.561
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/20574
dc.titleGeotechnical investigation for the construction of a vault in a rockface for the placement of a gravimeter and a long period seismograph at matjiesfontein, South Africa
dc.typeArticle
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