Warta Geologi, Vol. 48, No. 1, April 2022, pp. 23–29

Application of Schmidt hammer rebound test for weathering profile classification of granite, Paya Terubong, Penang, Malaysia

Mohamad Anuri Ghazali^1,*, Mohd Rozi Umor², Mohd Syafiq Hussin³, Abdul Ghani Md. Rafek⁴
1,3,4 Geo Mag Engineering, Tingkat 2, Jalan Pelabur B, 23/B, Seksyen 23, 40300 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
1,2 Program Geologi, Pusat Pengajian Sains Sekitaran dan Sumber Alam Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor D.E., Malaysia
* Corresponding author email address: mohamadanuri16@gmail.com

Abstract: Weathering profile characterization is one of the significant information in the interpretation of the condition of rock. In addition, the tropical climate in Malaysia causes the deep–seated weathering phenomena of granitic rock. The identification of weathering profile of granite can be made using in–situ Schmidt hammer rebound test which is one of the non–destructive tests (NDT) that is widely used. In this study, the test is carried out on granitic rock in Paya Terubong, Pulau Pinang. Based on the study conducted, the value for each of weathering grade of granite can be identified. The value for fresh granite (Grade I) is greater than 55, slightly weathered granite (Grade II) is ranging from 35 – 55, moderately weathered granite (Grade III) is ranging from 17 – 35 and highly weathered granite (Grade IV) is less than 17. Completely weathered granite (Grade V) and residual soil (Grade VI) do not have any Schmidt hammer rebound values. This method can be used as a very useful method in the field to determine the degree of weathering of rock outcrops.

Keywords: Granite, weathering grade, weathering profile, Schmidt hammer rebound test

Abstrak: Pencirian luluhawa adalah salah satu informasi penting dalam menafsir keadaan suatu singkapan batuan. Malaysia yang mempunyai iklim tropika yang telah menyebabkan fenomena luluhawa yang tebal dan dalam bagi batuan granit. Pengenalpastian profil luluhawa granit boleh dilakukan dengan menggunakan kaedah ujian lantunan tukul Schmidt in-situ yang merupakan salah satu kaedah ujian tanpa musnah (NDT) yang sering digunakan. Dalam kajian ini, ujian lantunan tukul Schmidt dijalankan ke atas batuan granit di Paya Terubong, Pulau Pinang. Berdasarkan kajian yang telah dijalankan, nilai lantunan tukul Schmidt bagi setiap gred luluhawa batuan granit dapat dikenalpasti. Nilai bagi batuan granit segar (Gred I) adalah melebihi 55, bagi batuan granit sedikit terluluhawa (Gred II) adalah dalam lingkungan 35 – 55, bagi batuan granit terluluhawa sederhana (Gred III) adalah dalam lingkungan 17 – 35, dan bagi batuan granit terluluhawa tinggi (Gred IV) adalah kurang daripada 17. Manakala, bagi batuan granit terluluhawa keseluruhan (Gred V) dan tanah baki (Gred VI), tidak memberikan nilai lantunan tukul Schmidt. Kaedah ini boleh dijadikan sebagai kaedah yang sangat berguna di lapangan bagi menentukan tahap luluhawa singkapan batuan.

Kata kunci: Granit, gred luluhawa, profil luluhawa, ujian lantunan tukul Schmidt

DOI : https://doi.org/10.7186/wg481202203