Warta Geologi, Vol. 45, No. 2, April-June 2019, pp. 40–42

Correlation of seismic velocity and mechanical properties
of metasandstone from CTW-1 well, Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

Norsyafiqah Salimun*, Abdul Ghani Rafek, Khairul Arifin
Mohd. Noh

Department of Petroleum Geosciences, Universiti Teknologi
PETRONAS (UTP), Bandar Seri Iskandar, 32610, Perak, Malaysia

*Corresponding author email address:
norsyafiqahsalimun@gmail.com

Abstract:
Laboratory rock testing offers an alternative for estimation of rock mass
properties through correlation of P-wave velocity and rock strength parameters
for preliminary investigation in engineering geology. However, limited studies
have been conducted on sedimentary rocks; e.g., sandstones and limestone in the
Peninsular Malaysia. In this study, two laboratory tests using 18 metasandstone
core samples obtained from CTW-1 well have been conducted to determine the
correlation between P-wave velocities and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS).
Measurements were conducted using ultrasonic wave pulse transmission and
Schmidt rebound hammer. Rock Quality Designation (RQD) of core samples was also
correlated with the P-wave velocity obtained from well log data. Four
correlations were established from the results as follows; i) RQD = 99.772 (Q)
+ 0.2351, ii) RQD = 0.0151(Vp) + 20.353, iii) UCS = 0.0472Vp – 144.12 and iv)
UCS = 0.064Vs – 72.31 with regression value of 0.99, 0.87, 0.93 and 0.78
respectively. The findings show good to acceptable correlations between P-wave
velocities and UCS, RQD and velocity index, Q of the rock mass. These
correlations serve as an alternative for estimating rock materials and rock
mass parameters, based on the P-wave velocities and velocity index, Q. Similar
correlations can be established for other rock types.

Keywords:
Seismic velocity, mechanical properties, metasandstone

ISSN
0126–5539; e-ISSN 2682-7549

DOI :
https://doi.org/10.7186/wg452201902