A geostatistical mapping of Schmidt hammer rebound values of carbonate rocks

There are several rock properties which determine rocks' strength and there are numerous methods and approaches to determine and measure this strength. These methods and approaches can be divided as direct and indirect methods/approaches. One of the most widely used indirect tools is the Schmidt hammer. Researchers have developed many approaches to use Schmidt hammer. One of these approaches is the measuring surface from points which far away from another point just as diameter of flange of Schmidt hammer. In this study, eight carbonate rock samples from different regions of Turkey are collected as blocks. Dimension of blocks are 30*30*15 cm³. Surface of these blocks are gridded, thus a coordinate system is formed. The Schmidt hammer rebound values (SHRV) are measured from 348 points for each block. Thus, a coordinated SHRV is obtained. This system is very sensitive due to high frequency of hammer applying points, reflects surface properties very well, such as fissures cracks, fine or course particles in grained structures. By using coordinated SHRV, a geostatistical evaluation becomes possible too. Then rock cores are bored according to grid system and these cores shaped as test specimens that fit in the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) suggested methods. Afterword, specimens' uniaxial compressive strength values are found out. Investigations indicate that SHRV reflect surface properties in some extent.