Investigation of the variability of engineering properties (Stiffness and unconfined compressive strength) of hydrocal and polylite

Sara Morrison, Mary MacLaughlin, Nick Hudyma, Jesse Parkhurst

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Based on previous research investigating the influence of large voids, plaster of Paris displays variable engineering properties (Erfourth 2006). The objective of this study was to find a matrix material with consistent unconfined compressive strength and stiffness. Two-inch by four-inch solid cylindrical specimens were made with Polylite (a transparent plastic material) and Hydrocal (a high quality plaster) as the matrix material. After testing 20 Polylite and 75 Hydrocal specimens, it was found that these materials displayed lower coefficients of variation (10% or less for Hydrocal, 3% or less for Polylite) as compared to pre-existing data for solid specimens with original plaster matrix (as much as 15%). Unfortunately it was also found that introducing voids into the Polylite samples results in violent failures during testing. Therefore, it is not a viable candidate for future use in this project.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication41st Symposium on Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering 2008
Pages29-36
Number of pages8
StatePublished - 2008
Event41st Symposium on Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering 2008 - Boise, ID, United States
Duration: 9 Apr 200811 Apr 2008

Publication series

Name41st Symposium on Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering 2008

Conference

Conference41st Symposium on Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoise, ID
Period9/04/0811/04/08

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