Geotechnical Behavior of Eastern Senegal Rock Mass Slopes by Geomechanical Classifications and Applications

Abstract

In Senegal, rock mechanic studies began in last four years and were a very new engineering domain. So, the first stage is to characterize geological materials. It is on this way that this work is done. This paper analyzes geomechanical parameters of sandstones of Dindifélo and basalt of Bafoundou belonging to the Proterozoic rocks domain of eastern Senegal. By Rock Mass Rating (RMR) and Geological Strength Index (GSI), sandstones of the Dindifello Cliff show fair to poor characteristics while basalts of the hills of Bafoundou are fair quality. In addition to the qualities of rock mass, Young moduli, uniaxial compressive strengths and tensile strength of rock mass are also defined using Rock Quality Designation (RQD) GSI, RMR. Hoek-Brown parameters m and a, depend both on the fracturation and the content fine in the rock. Values of mechanical parameters are different when deduced from RMR, GSI and from intact rock laboratory test. Those differences are due to variables taken account. The variation depends also on the quality of the rock. Statistical analysis shows possible unstabilities which depend on rock mass parameters but with acceptable probability of failure. Probability of failure is the highest when deducing from Mohr criterion than from Hoek-Brown criterion.

Physical and Mechanical Features of the Quaternary Basanites of the Cap-Vert Peninsula of Dakar (Senegal, West Africa)

“…The behavior of any civil engineering structure depends largely on the strength and deformation properties of the geo-materials. Sarr et al (2020) [8] set the basis for the study of the behavior of foundations on these basanites and other rocks through a geomechanical study in the western part of the Cap-Vert peninsula. It is important, whatever the geomechanical use that one wants to make of them, to know the geotechnical parameters of the facies in place.…”

Instabilities Susceptibility Assessment of Fractured Rock Masses Using Geographic Information System: Application on the Sector of Mako (South-Eastern Senegal)

“…This very area has been the subject of previous works focusing on petrographic and geochemical aspects [1]- [5] and participated in knowledge the Kédougou-Kéniéba inlier. Geomechanical works are also done on essentially basaltic rock masses [6] [7] [8]. Even if access is often difficult, it is necessary to understand the behaviour of other rock masses.…”