World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology

International Journal of Geotechnical and Geological Engineering

Vol:11, No:10, 2017

Prediction of in situ Permeability for Limestone Rock

Using Rock Quality Designation Index
Ahmed T. Farid, Muhammed Rizwan

1
limestone by the lower incidence of fissures and relative
Abstract—Geotechnical study for evaluating soil or rock absence of secondary silt, clay, and solution products. The in-
permeability is a highly important parameter. Permeability values for situ permeability for discontinues rock formations is
rock formations are more difficult for determination than soil depending on the reliability and cost effectiveness. Using the
formation as it is an effect of the rock quality and its fracture values.
Lugeon’s water pressure tests (in situ packer permeability) is
In this research, the prediction of in situ permeability of limestone
International Science Index, Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Vol:11, No:10, 2017 waset.org/Publication/10007975

rock formations was predicted. The limestone rock permeability was more reliable for in-situ permeability of mass rock [3], [4].
evaluated using Lugeon tests (in-situ packer permeability). Different According to that, Lugeon’s water pressure tests can be
sites which spread all over the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia were conducted during the progress of boreholes drilling at the
chosen to conduct our study of predicting the in-situ permeability of studied region. In-situ permeability tests are performed at
limestone rock. Correlations were deducted between the values of in- different depths measured from the existing ground surface at
situ permeability of the limestone rock with the value of the rock
each site. Nappi et al. [5] studied the hydraulic characteristics
quality designation (RQD) calculated during the execution of the
boreholes of the study areas. The study was performed for different of sandstone by outcropping measurements and lugeon tests.
ranges of RQD values measured during drilling of the sites boreholes. The convergent results from the two methods were indicative
The developed correlations are recommended for the onsite for complementary nature of the two approaches. Hamm et al.
determination of the in-situ permeability of limestone rock only. For [6] and Qureshi et al. [7] studied the relation of hydraulic
the other sedimentary formations of rock, more studies are needed for conductivity for granite with fracture frequency, squared
predicting the actual correlations related to each type.
fracture aperture, and the square aperture of major fracture
Keywords—Packer, permeability, rock, quality. orientation obtained from acoustic televiewer and core log
data. They also concluded that the fracture aperture had
I. INTRODUCTION stronger relationship with hydraulic conductivity than fracture
frequency. However, those studies were mostly applicable to
T HE in-situ permeability of different discontinues of rock
formations is an important value to be calculated in many
geotechnical studies. Tunneling, dams, dewatering, and
shallow surfaces of rock mass. Also, previous researches [8],
[9] showed that discontinuities in rock mass have significant
effect on the rock mass permeability. A simplest and
executing of pump stations, and so on are some of the standardized method using the RQD can be used in
geotechnical works which need to predict the rock formation quantitatively describing the in-situ permeability of mass rock.
permeability. In this study, a special focus was given to In the present study, Luegon’s water pressure tests are
predict the permeability of limestone rock formation. Many performed at different depths for the four chosen sites in
previous researches have predicted the rock permeability, [1]- Riyadh region. Then, correlations between the in-situ
[3]. In this study, four sites of Riyadh region in Saudi Arabia permeability values and the accompanied RQD index of
have been chosen. Geologically Riyadh region consists of two limestone rock mass at each test are predicted.
distinct limestone rock formations. The upper layer is
consisted of the Arab limestone formation, while the lower II. METHODOLOGY OF STUDY
one is consisted of the Jubiala limestone formation. The Arab
TABLE I
formation is shown in oil exploration boreholes to consist of SITE LOCATIONS AND NUMBER OF PERMEABILITY TESTS
four distinct limestone units, each separated by an anhydrite site location in No. of Permeability
Site No. Coordinates
bed, and its thickness is between 100 and 150 meters. A high Riyadh tests
degree of variation in the size of the breccia fragments and the E 0683681
1 north east 23
N 2743592
extent of the re-cementation is a characteristic of this rock. In 18 E 0664485
addition, zones of highly or completely weathered material 2 north
N 2744548
normally occur in the upper part of the rock mass. The Jubaila 3 west
17 E 0659067
N 2736606
formation is approximately 130 meters in thickness in the E 0664543
Riyadh area. It is an extremely resistant light brown to yellow 4 south east 22
N 2729418
limestone containing aphanitic (fine grained), dolomitic, and
calcarenitic zones. The in-situ permeability of limestone rock mass formations
The limestone is also distinguished from the overlying Arab is very important in geotechnical engineering. In the present
study, four sites in Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia were chosen
Ahmed Farid is with the Housing and Building National Research Center, to develop and predict the in-situ permeability of limestone.
Egypt (e-mail: [email protected]).

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 11(10) 2017 887 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/10007975
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Geotechnical and Geological Engineering
Vol:11, No:10, 2017

The in-situ permeability is performed using the Lugeon’s III. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
water pressure tests at different depths. Table I represents the The limestone permeability was calculated using (1) after
locations of the four sites of study in Riyadh region with their performing Lugeon’s water pressure tests at depths ranged
number of permeability tests. between 4 meters and 52 meters below the existing ground
RQD index data at each depth of investigation are recorded surface. The collected test data illustrated that the limestone
during boreholes drilling. In the following paragraphs, more rock permeability ranged between the values of 10-6 and 10-9
details about the in-situ permeability test are given. m/sec. The corresponding RQD index at each permeability test
A. RQD Index Data section is defined. Fig. 3 shows RQD index versus depth of
The RQD index data of limestone formations are the tested sections of limestone permeability.
determined for each depth of permeability test. The
determination of RQD index was recorded during the field
investigation tests and before executing of each in-situ
permeability test. In each borehole, the drilling was advanced
International Science Index, Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Vol:11, No:10, 2017 waset.org/Publication/10007975

by rock coring using a double tube core barrel equipped with a

diamond bit. The coring was carried out in successive “core
runs” of 1.5 meters. The percentage of core recovery and RQD
for each “core run” of 1.5 meters was noted and recorded on
the boreholes logs.
The RQD index is a convenient parameter to assess the
quality of rock quantitatively, which is introduced by
researchers [10]-[12]. This concept of quantitative description
of rock is defined as “the percentage ratio of the sum of rock
core parts greater than or equal to 0.1 m in the core run and
divided by core run length” which is 1.5 m in our tests. This
RQD index values are recorded during the drilling of
boreholes along with their recovered cores.
B. Lugeon’s Water Pressure Tests
The hydraulic conductivity in rock mass depends on the
aperture, spacing, and infilling of its discontinuities. Thus, the
accurate estimate of the hydraulic conductivity of rock mass
formation can be better obtained using in-situ tests [3], [9]. In-
situ permeability tests are performed at different depths of the
four sites in Riyadh region mentioned above during the
drilling of boreholes. The Lugeon’s water pressure tests with
their respective RQD index values at the same section depth
are recorded. The lugeon’s water pressure test is a constant
head type test which is conducted in an isolated section of
borehole. Water at constant pressure is injected in the rock
mass through a slotted pipe bound by pneumatic packers, and
discharge is measured. The maximum pressure of water
should not exceed the rock confinement stress expected at the
center of respective test section. The schematic diagram of the Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of Lugeon test
methodology of the Lugeon’s water pressure test is
represented by Fig. 1. Fig. 2 illustrated the increments stages
of applying the water pressures up to its maximum value and
then the stages of relief the water pressure till end of test. The
in-situ permeability test for limestone rock was performed at
depths ranged between 4 m and 52 m below the existing
ground surface for all sites. There are more than 100 tests of
in-situ permeability of limestone rock which are performed at
the chosen sites. In the present study, only about 80 in-situ
permeability tests are used to predict empirical correlations
between the limestone permeability values and the rock
designation quality RQD index.

Fig. 2 Water pressure stages during Lugeon’s test

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 11(10) 2017 888 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/10007975
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Geotechnical and Geological Engineering
Vol:11, No:10, 2017

K = ( Q / 2Л H L) log ( L / R) (1)

where K is the limestone permeability in m/sec, Q is the water

discharge in m3/sec, H is the total head value at test section in
meter, L is the length of tests section between packers, and R
is the radius of the drilling hole section.
Figs. 4 and 5 are plotted after gathering all the data
achieved from the in-situ permeability tests for limestone and
the corresponding investigation values of RQD index. Figs. 4
(a) and (b) show correlations between the limestone
permeability and the RQD index values for RQD <50% and
RQD > 50%, respectively. It is noticed that the limestone rock
permeability at shallow depths up to 10.0 meter from ground
surface shows a high permeability as RQD index is low, while
International Science Index, Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Vol:11, No:10, 2017 waset.org/Publication/10007975

the rock permeability is very low as RQD index is high.

Fig. 4 (b) Correlation between limestone permeability and RQD
index >50%

Fig. 4 (a) illustrated the correlation between the limestone

permeability and RQD index less than 50% with a regression
R2 equal to 0.435, and (2) represented that correlation.

K = 1015 e -0. 02 (RQD) (2)

for RQD < 50%. Moreover, Fig. 4 (b) illustrated the

correlation between the limestone permeability and RQD
index more than 50% with a regression R2 equal to 0.443, and
(3) represented that correlation.

K = 3447 e -0. 06(RQD) (3)

for RQD > 50%.

Fig. 3 RQD index values versus depth

Fig. 4 (a) Correlation between limestone permeability and RQD

index < 50% Fig. 5 Correlation between Limestone permeability and RQD index

From Fig. 5, it is noticed that a better correlation which

gives a regression value of R2 equal to 0.769 of all measured
tests can be obtained. This good correlation gives a general
equation for the relationship between limestone permeability

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 11(10) 2017 889 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/10007975
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Geotechnical and Geological Engineering
Vol:11, No:10, 2017

and RQD index as illustrated in (3). [9] Gates W. C., “The hydro-potential (HP) value: a rock classification
technique for evaluation of the ground-water potential in fractured
bedrock,” Environmental & Engineering Geosciences, Vol. 3(2), 1997,
K = 1950 e -0. 05(RQD) (4) pp. 251-267.
[10] Deere D. U., “Technical description of rock cores for engineering
IV. CONCLUSIONS purposes,” Rock Mechanics and Eng. Geology, vol. 1, 1963, pp. 16-22.
[11] Deere D. U. and Deere D. W., “The rock quality designation (RQD)
The conclusion of the present study can be summarized in index in practice of rock classification systems for engineering
the following statements: purposes,” ASTM STP 984, Louis Kirkaldie Ed., American Society of
Testing materials, Philadelphia, 1988, pp. 91-101.
1- The limestone permeability tests showed that the [12] Goodman R., “Introduction to rock mechanics,” First Edition. J. Wiley,
permeability ranged between 10-6 and 10-9 m/sec for these New York, 1980, pp. 32-34.
specific sites.
2- Results data showed that the limestone rock permeability
at shallow depths up to 10.0 meter from ground surface A. Farid was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1966; he received
the B.E. degree in structural engineering from Ain Shams
has a high permeability and low RQD index. On the other university, Cairo, Egypt in 1989. He received his
hand, the good quality of limestone rock having a high
International Science Index, Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Vol:11, No:10, 2017 waset.org/Publication/10007975

doctorate in 2003 at Cairo university in structural

RQD index has a very low permeability. engineering. His main interest in structural and
3- Analysis for correlations between the limestone rock geotechnical engineering
permeability and RQD index values gives different
correlations equations for both, RQD index less than 50%
M. Rizwan was born in Lahore, Pakistan in 1985; he
and for RQD index more than 50%. received the B.Sc. degree in civil engineering from Lahore
4- Results give better correlation between the in situ university, engineering and technology, Pakistan in 2008.
limestone rock permeability and RQD index values for all He works as geotechnical engineer in geotechnical and
foundation Engineering company, RGF, KSA
data collected from the study.
The authors recommended that the present study for
predicting the in-situ limestone permeability using the above
empirical mentioned equations should be used by engineers as
a preliminary estimation as its value depends on many factors
such as the site geology and limestone fracture. According to
that, a full actual in-situ permeability tests should be executed
for verification of the estimated permeability of any new
projects for this type of limestone rock.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors thank all field technicians and engineers of
Riyadh Geo-technique and Foundation Company, RGF in
Riyadh region for their collaboration and support for
performing the present study.

REFERENCES
[1] Hsu S., Chung M.; Ku C. Tan C. & Weng W., “An application of
acoustic televiewer and double packer system to the study of the
hydraulic properties of fractured rocks,” 60th Canadian Geotechnical
Conference & 8th joint CGS/IAH-CNC Groundwater Conference, vol.1,
Ottawa, Canada, 200, pp. 415-422.
[2] Ewert F. K., “Permeability, grout ability and grouting of rocks related to
dam sites,” Part 1, Springer verlarg, Berlin, 1997, pp. 31–77.
[3] Lugeon M., Barrage et Geologie. Dunod, Paris, 1933.
[4] Houlsby A. “Routine Interpretation of the Lugeon water-test,” Quarterly
Journal of Engineering Geology, vol. 9, 1976, pp.303-313.
[5] Nappi M., Esposito L., Piscopo V., Rega G., “Hydraulic characterization
of some sedimentary rocks of Molise (Southern Italy) through
outcropping measurements and Lugeon tests,” Journal of Eng.
Geology, vol. 81, 2005, pp. 54–64.
[6] Hamm S., Kimm M., Cheonga J., Sona M., Kimm T., “Relationship
between hydraulic conductivity and fracture properties estimated from
packer tests and borehole data in a fracture granite,” Engineering
Geology, vol 92(1-2), 2007, pp. 73-87.
[7] Qureshi M. U., Al-Mawali K., Khan K. M., “Using RQD to estimate the
in-situ permeability of discontinuous rocks,” 5th Int. Young Geotechnical
Eng. Conference, 2013, pp. 447-450.
[8] Magnusson K. A., Duran O., “Comparison between core log and
hydraulic and geophysical measurements in boreholes,” Geoexploration,
vol. 22(3-4), 1984, pp. 169-186.

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 11(10) 2017 890 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/10007975