Warta Geologi, Vol. 47, No. 1, April 2021, pp. 1–8

Ultrasonic pulse velocities and dynamic elastic constants
of sandstones from the Semanggol Formation, Beris Dam, Kedah Darul Aman

J. K. Raj

No. 83, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi 2,

Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Author email address: jkr.ttdi.tmc@gmail.com

Abstract:
The main Beris Dam is founded on a sequence of thick bedded conglomerates and
pebbly to fine grained sandstones with minor mudstone mapped as the Semanggol
Formation of Triassic age. Ultrasonic pulse measurements show velocities of
compressional and shear waves through the sandstones to increase with
decreasing grain size; the pebbly sandstone with velocities of 2.210, and
5.171, km/s, and the coarse grained sandstone with velocities of 2.477, and
5.612, km/s, respectively. The medium grained sandstones have compressional and
shear wave velocities of 2.457, and 5.793, km/s and the fine grained
sandstones, velocities of 2.572, and 5.867 km/s, respectively. Dynamic elastic
constants computed from the ultrasonic velocities also increase in values with
decreasing grain size; Poisson’s ratio varying from 0.36 to 0.39, the modulus
of elasticity from 35.076 to 48.210 GPa, the bulk modulus from 52.260 to 67.362
GPa and the modulus of rigidity from 12.637 to 17.468 GPa. Increasing
velocities and elastic constants with decreasing grain size are considered to
result from a denser arrangement of constituent grains as shown by increasing
dry unit weights. Comparison with the results of an unconfined compression test
on a fine grained sandstone indicate that the ultrasonic elastic constants are
good approximations of static elastic constants.

Keywords:
Ultrasonic pulse velocities, elastic constants, Semanggol Formation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.7186/wg471202101

ISSN
0126–5539; e-ISSN 2682-7549