CONCLUSION

The systematic assessment method and the comprehensive data analysis on the weathered sandstone and weathered shale had been carried out to establish their respective strength models as individual material and composite material. Even though there is no direct laboratory works has been carried out on composite sample the results have shown some promising findings on the prediction of the strength behaviour of composite sandstone and shale rock of Kenny Hill formation. The respective empirical equations can be used either to predict the elastic modulus, stiffness or strength indices from a simple test result as simple as a point load strength test. In real life problem, it is very important to the practitioner to be able to characterise and determine the geotechnical behaviour of weathered sandstone and shale as a composite rock mass for cost saving and safe geotechnical design.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This paper only highlighted and discuss a sub topic of a comprehensive research studies funded by Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia ( IRPA -0006EA006 ) and is gratefully acknowledge. The authors would like to thank , and Consultancy and the Faculty of Civil Engineering UiTM for their support.

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