Empirical strengths of rocks exposed along the Adelaide to Crafers Road

This paper presents the results from a series of field tests carried out to determine the strengths of slightly weathered rocks exposed in cuttings along the Adelaide to Crafers Road. The rocks are from the Mitcham Quartzite, Stonyfell Quartzite and Saddleworth Formation which includes the Glen Osmond State and Beaumont Dolomite Units. The road was completed in 2000 and to date no strength values have been placed into the public domain. The results highlight the significant variability in the strengths of all rock types. The paper also presents an empirical correlation between Schmidt hammer rebound values and point load indices for the rocks. This relationship should be useful for initial, rapid, non-destructive assessments of rock strength.