ORIGINAL PAPER

A typical weathering profile of granitic rock in Johor, Malaysiabased on joint characterization

S. V. Alavi Nezhad Khalil Abad & Edy Tonnizam Mohamad &

Ibrahim Komoo & R. Kalatehjari

Received: 11 May 2013 /Accepted: 19 February 2014# Saudi Society for Geosciences 2014

Abstract One of the most important challenges in the studyof slope stability, foundation, and excavation in rocks isunderstanding the weathering states. This issue is more im-portant in tropical climates, where severe weathering producesthick weathering profiles. Thick weathering profiles are nor-mally classified or graded differently based on some fieldobservations, geological studies, and material properties ofrock. This paper considers the relationship between jointcharacterization and the state of weathering of granitic rockas an important factor to describe the mass weathering. A totalof 24 panels of rock exposures was studied in two activegranite quarries located in Johor, Malaysia. This region has atropical climate condition. A typical profile was proposed forgranitic rock, mainly based on joint characterization, topogra-phy, and geological condition. This profile includes a commonweathering ranging from fresh rock to residual soil. Based onthe presence of corestones, two additional subgrades wereintroduced in completely and highly weathered zones. It isbelieved that the proposed weathering profile may contributeto engineering design and classification of weathered graniticrock in tropical region.

Keywords Granite .Weathering profile . Discontinuity .

Corestone . Tropical region . Joint spacing . Joint trace length

Introduction

Defining a typical weathering profile of different rocks is ofinterest to all geoscientists and geotechnical engineers. Thisprofile is most useful for preliminary engineering designs andplanning in civil engineering and mining projects involvedwith slope stability, excavation, blasting, and foundation(Verma and Singh 2009; Salari-Rad et al. 2012; JahedArmaghani et al. 2013; Kalatehjari et al. 2013). Weatheringprofile in rocks is derived from the geological classificationfor engineering applications (Moye 1955; Ruxton and Berry1957). In tropical regions, weathering is more intense andoccurs to greater depths than elsewhere (Komoo 1995).Weathering profile in tropical regions have a specific featuresuch as the presence of rock blocks (corestones) that aredifficult to be predicted. In addition, sudden changes may takeplace between different mass weathering grades. Despite thementioned complexities, the study of weathering profiles isstill in the early stages in these regions. Therefore, it is impor-tant to define a typical weathering profile in different types ofrock in tropical climate conditions to better understand thebehavior of weathered rock.

A number of studies have been conducted to give acomplete description of rock weathering based on thetype of rocks and the associated engineering problem(Moye 1955; Ruxton and Berry 1957; Dearman 1976;Matula 1981; Murphy 1985). Generally, the classificationsystems of engineering geology have been qualitative, andthey have been typically related to granitic rocks (Areland Önalp 2004). In addition to these qualitative approaches,other schemes have been used such as rock mass androck mass weathering classification, which were basedprimarily on some simple tests carried out using avail-able field data as well as some statistical procedures(Wei and Liu 1990).

S. V. Alavi Nezhad Khalil Abad (*) : E. T. Mohamad :R. KalatehjariDepartment of Geotechnics and Transportation, Faculty of CivilEngineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM),Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysiae-mail: vankaseyed2@live.utm.my

I. KomooUniversiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

Arab J GeosciDOI 10.1007/s12517-014-1345-7

Two of the initial approaches for classification of weath-ered rocks have been derived from the Ruxton and Berry(1957) geological classification that had been done in the caseof Hong Kong granite and the Moye (1955) engineering-purposed classification in based on the Snowy MountainsScheme in Australia. It should be noted that essential elementsof physical disintegration have been also observed in bothregions; however, chemical weathering and decompositionswere dominant in both of them. Ruxton and Berry (1957)studied the sequence of weathering of granite caused by bothphysical disintegration and chemical decomposition to presenta weathering profile.

Little (1969) modified the classification proposed byMoye(1955). He graded the rock soil ratios numbered from one tosix for fresh rock and for the residual weathered soil, respec-tively. The Moye’s classification was also modified byNewbery (1970) to be applied to the granite of CameronHighlands, Malaysia. The approach proposed by Ruxton andBerry (1957) was adopted by Fookes and Horswill (1970);they employed both mass and material features as diagnosticcharacteristics of distinctive mass weathering grades. Fookeset al. (1971) published this classification in which an indica-tion of the engineering properties of each grade was addedbased on Little (1969). Later on, it was recommended formapping purposes (Anon 1972).

Lee and De Freitas (1989) reviewed the schemes that havebeen introduced for classification of granitic rocks, and theyalso discussed the common problematic areas of classificationand description of weathering grades and their distribution inthe rock masses. Dearman (1974, 1976) played an importantrole in classification of weathering grades by demonstratingthat for complicated conditions, weathering zones could bemapped into rock mass based on weathering grades.

In the beginning, for granitic rocks, morphology of theweathering profiles was studied based on the division of theremarkably different zones into rock mass. For this purpose,regardless of the rock matrix changes, three parameters werespecified: rock discoloration degree, soil/rock ratio, and thepresence of the original texture. However, the philosophy ofstudy altered and the rock matrix became more focused,partially for two issues: First, the field behavior was notcompletely expressed by the model; second, there was someconfusion over how the model could be used. Several techni-cal associations, institutions, and authors have proposed theirschemes for weathering classification by taking into consid-eration the rock matrix as proposed by ISRM (2007), Matula(1981), and Anon (1995).

Weathering classification schemes are mostly proposedbased on some important factors such as the condition andappearance of the rock material (e.g., its friability), the weath-ered materials’ engineering properties, the condition of indi-vidual minerals (e.g., the extent of micro-cracking), the stain-ing degree on the joint surfaces and/or the how much the

staining is extended from joints into the rock, and alterationsto the mineral composition (e.g., the appearance of new min-erals and disappearance of existing ones). However, jointcharacterization such as spacing, trace length, orientation,and inclination (horizontal, inclined, and vertical joints) thatsignificantly control the engineering properties of rock masshave not been considered (Sharifzadeh et al. 2011; Ghazvinianet al. 2012; Zadhesh et al. 2013).

This paper addresses the relationship between joint char-acterization and the state of weathering in granitic rock inJohor, Malaysia. This area is located in a tropical region.The joint characterization including spacing, trace length,orientation, and inclination were considered in 24 panels ofrock exposure located in two active quarries, Masai and PutriWangsa. The results of the study were used to propose atypical weathering profile for granitic rock in the studiedregion. This weathering profile may contribute to the estab-lishment of rock mass classifications and engineering designsin regions with the same climate and geological condition.

Site investigation

Site investigation including observation and joint survey suchas joint orientation, joint spacing, and trace length were mea-sured in two areas of weathered granitic rock located insoutheastern Asia. These areas were located in Johor Bahru,the southern province of Malaysia. The geological map of thisarea with the age of late Cretaceous to early Tertiary ispresented in Fig. 1 (Rajah S. Senathi et al. 1982). The requiredfield data for this study have been collected from the quarriesof Putri Wangsa and Masai that are shown in the mentionedfigure. In the studied areas, a total of 24 exposures weremeasured and investigated including 11 panels in Masai quar-ry and 13 panels in Putri Wangsa quarry. Figure 2 shows theoverviews of panels in Masai and Putri Wangsa quarries.

The rock exposure in panels ranged from 5 to 24 m inheight and from 10 to 12 m in length. The rock exposure ineach panel was divided into different zones based on theexisted mass weathering grades. In both quarries, a completerange of mass weathering grades from fresh rock (F) tocompletely weathered rock (CW) was present. This type ofclassification is based on the most widely used scheme pro-posed by, International Society of Rock Mechanics (ISRM2007).

Joint study is usually carried out by two sampling schemesknown as scanline and window survey (Song 2006). In bothtechniques, the mapping is only involved with exposed sur-faces. Consequently, they cannot represent the structural fea-tures behind the mapped surfaces. Although window surveymethod produces more data over a larger area than scanlinemethod, it requires more engineering decisions during datacollection. Furthermore, scanline is simpler to use and

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provides more detailed data compared with window methodin the same location (Gumede and Stacey 2007; Şen 2013).The scanline sampling scheme was used to measure jointproperties in this study. Joints to be measured were intersectedwith scanline in the outcrop, where a measuring tape wasutilized as a scanline. Orientation of the joints including dipand dip direction, spacing, and trace length were surveyed foreach mass weathering grade in each panel. The other

geological features including faults and corestone were iden-tified by visual inspection of the outcrops.

Data analysis

In order to classify panels based on different mass weatheringgrades, the classification of ISRM (2007) were used which is

Fig. 1 Geological map of the studied area (Rajah et al. 1982)

Fig. 2 Overview and the boundaries of panels in: a Masai quarry; b Putri Wangsa quarry

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presented in Table 1. The resultant mass weathering gradeswere sketched for all panels. The measured data were com-bined in order to analyze joint characterization in differentmass weathering grades by using Dips 5.0 software package(Rocscience 2000). The datasets were compiled from the rawfield data by simple statistics. In addition, the distribution ofjoint properties among different mass weathering grades weredetermined by frequency histograms. Percentage of differenttypes of joints including horizontal (<30°), inclined (30–70°),and vertical (>70°) were calculated. Orientations of jointswere input in Dips data sheets, and major joint sets weredetermined for each mass weathering grade. The results wereplotted by rose diagrams.

Sketches of panels of both sites were prepared regardingidentified weathering zones and observed geological features.Finally, the typical weathering profile for granite in a tropicalregion was proposed based on joint characterization, topogra-phy, rock appearance, and panel sketches.

Joint characterization in different mass weathering grades

Based on site observation and classification of ISRM (2007),weathering profiles were sketched for selected panels in eachsite. Figure 3 shows the sketches of weathering profiles androse diagrams of joints encountered in both Masai and Putri

Table 1 ISRM suggestion for classification and description of rock masses

Term Description Class

Sound rock (SR) No visible sign of matrix weathering; some rock discoloration may be present along main discontinuities. I

Slightly weathered rock (SW) Discoloration of rock indicates beginning of rock matrix weathering and along discontinuities surfaces. Allrock matrices can be discolored by weathering and can be slightly softer externally than in soundcondition.

II

Moderately weathered rock (MW) Lower than half of rock matrix is decomposed or disintegrated to soil condition. Sound or discolored rock ispresent forming discontinue zones or as corestones.

III

Highly weathered rock (HW) More than half of rock matrix is decomposed or disintegrated to soil condition. Sound or discolored rock ispresent forming discontinue zones or as corestones.

IV

Completely weathered rock (CW) All rock matrices are decomposed or disintegrated to soil condition. Original structure of rock mass iscommonly preserved.

V

Residual soil (RS) All rocks are transformed into soil. Geological structure of rock mass is destroyed. There is a great volumevariation but no significant soil transport is present

VI

Fig. 3 Sketch of mass weathering grades of different panels with their rose diagrams in: a Masai quarry; b Putri Wangsa quarry

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Wangsa quarries. The overview of Masai quarry was dividedinto two groups based on panel topography. Panels A to Hwere categorized as ‘side,’ and panels I to K were identified as‘crest’. In Putri Wangsa quarry, three topography features as‘crest,’ ‘side,’ and ‘valley’ were assigned respectively forpanels A-B-C-K-L-M, D-E-I-J, and F-G-H. Geological fea-tures in Masai quarry were observed as corestones in panelsB-C-D-E-G with section sizes from 0.5×0.5 to 5.5×3 m2, andnormal faults in panels F-G-H. The same features were iden-tified in Putri Wangsa quarry including corestones with sec-tion sizes from 1.5×1.5 to 6×10 m2 in panels A to D, andnormal faults in panels A-I-K.

It was observed that weathering state ranges from fresh tocompletely weathered zones at both sites studied. The

thickness of fresh, slightly weathered, moderately weathered,highly weathered, and completely weathered zones in Masaiquarry is up to 21.5, 7, 8.5, 11, and 8 m, respectively. In PutriWangsa quarry, the maximum thickness of different massweathering grades from fresh to completely weathered zoneis 11, 10, 3.5, 15, and 13 m, respectively.

In Masai quarry, the thickness of fresh zone decreases from‘crest’ to ‘site’ panels (up to 70%). In addition, slightly weath-ered rocks were observed with various thicknesses at ‘side’panels (3 to 7 m). Moderately weathered rocks were presentmostly at ‘side’ and rarely in ‘crest’ panels (up to 8.5 m).Highly weathered rocks were identified scattered in ‘side’ and‘crest’ panels with different thicknesses (up to 11 m). Thethickness of completely weathered zone decreases from ‘crest’

Fig. 4 Joint spacing distribution in different mass weathering grades including: a fresh; b completely weathered

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to ‘site’ panels (up to 60 %). Corestones were recognized inhighly weathered rocks at ‘side’ panels with almost equaldimensions (about 1×1 m2). The upper parts of exposureswere partially covered by residual soil and vegetation.

In Putri Wangsa quarry, fresh rocks were only observed at‘crest’ panels with different thicknesses (1 to 11 m). Slightlyweathered rock was seen at ‘side,’ ‘valley,’ and infrequently at‘crest’ panels with an almost constant thickness (about 8 m).Moderately weathered rock was observed as small zones at‘crest’ panels (up to 3.5 m). Highly weathered rock existed

with various thicknesses at ‘crest’ to ‘valley’ panels (up to15 m). The thickness of completely weathered rock decreasedfrom ‘crest’ to ‘side’ (up to 60 %). In addition, corestoneswere mapped in highly weathered and completely weatheredzones at ‘crest’ panels (up to 6×10 m2). It was also observedthat the tops of the completely weathered and highly weath-ered rocks were covered partially with residual soil andvegetation.

The scanline survey was applied to all panels to obtain jointcharacterization. Joint spacings were measured as the distance

Fig. 5 Trace length distribution in different mass weathering grades including: a fresh; b completely weathered

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between two joints which have intersected a measuring line.The minimum spacings measured were 10, 5, 5, 13, and 2 cmin fresh, slightly, moderately, highly, and completely weatheredrocks, respectively. Joint trace lengths were measured for thosejoints which intersected with scanline. The minimum tracelength captured for fresh to completely weathered rocks wererespectively 23, 15, 14, 18, and 8 cm. In addition, a descendingtrend was observed in joint spacings from crest to valley.

The distributions for joint spacing and joint trace length arepresented for each mass weathering grade. Figure 4 shows twosamples of the frequency of joint spacing versus massweathering grade. Moreover, two samples of the frequency ofjoint trace length versusmass weathering grade are presented inFig. 5. It can be seen that the frequency of joint spacing andjoint trace length pursues the lognormal distribution as statedby several authors (Zadhesh et al. 2013; Sousa Luís 2007;Ehlen 2002; Hudson and Harrison 1997; and Priest 1993).

Based on distributions of joint spacings in different massweathering grades the maximum frequencies of spacing infresh to completely weathered rocks occurred respectively inranges of 1.95–2, 0.5–0.55, 0.25–0.3, 0.4–0.45, and 0.45–0.5 m. The distributions of joint trace lengths in different massweathering grades show that the maximum frequencies were

respectively in ranges of 3.5–4, 2.5–3, 1–1.5, 0.5–1, and up to0.5 m in fresh to completely weathered zones.

Figure 6 shows the mean spacings for the granite in differ-ent mass weathering grades where the summary of statisticalwork is presented in Table 2. Mean spacing decreases surpris-ingly from fresh to slightly weathered and continues faintly tomoderately weathered rock, then increases through highlyweathered to completely weathered. The maximum mean ofspacing occurs in fresh rock, while the minimum mean ofspacing is in moderately weathered rock.

The mean trace length of granite in different massweathering grades is presented in Fig. 7 based on statisticalresults of Table 3. The graph shows a slight decrement inmean trace length from fresh to slightly weathered rock and asharp decline to moderately weathered, then continues todecrease to completely weathered rock. The overall trend ofmean trace length is decreasing along with weathering prog-ress from fresh to completely weathered rocks.

Table 4 and Fig. 8 show respectively the percentage andtrend of joint inclination in different mass weathering grades.The result of statistical analysis of joint inclination shows anincreasing trend in the percentage of horizontal joints fromfresh to completely weathered rocks. In contrast, a decreasing

Fig. 6 a Mean spacing versusmass weathering grade. b Meantrace length versus massweathering grade

Table 2 Statistical results of joint spacing in different mass weathering grades

Mass weathering grade Masai Putri Wangsa Combined

n Mean (m) Standard deviation n Mean (m) Standard deviation n Mean (m) Standard deviation

F 294 1.57 0.74 281 1.88 0.47 575 1.73 0.65

SW 203 0.61 0.35 305 0.51 0.13 508 0.55 0.25

MW 165 0.4 0.37 132 0.33 0.12 297 0.37 0.29

HW 253 0.53 0.33 314 0.49 0.22 567 0.51 0.27

CW 326 0.73 0.58 253 0.95 1.26 579 0.83 0.95

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trend was found in the percentage of vertical joints for thesame weathering progress. The percentage of inclined jointfluctuated in different mass weathering grades.

Typical weathering profiles

Study of joint characterization, topography, rock appearance,and sketches of the panels makes it possible to propose atypical weathering profile for granitic rock in Johor,Malaysia (Table 5). The proposed profile includes a range ofidentified mass weathering grades based on ISRM (2007),their thickness, topography, color, and joint specifications. Afull range of weathering states from fresh rock to residual soilexhibited in the profile was fully described.

In the fresh rock zone, there is no visible sign of matrixweathering. However, some rock discoloration may be visiblealong discontinuities. The range of rock color in this zone isfrom light gray to light green. Based on the results of jointstudy, a maximum number of three joint sets were determinedwith dominant vertical joints. The discontinuities found infresh rock were mainly joints, faults, and cracks. As a result

of statistical analysis, mean spacing and trace length of thejoints are respectively about 1.7 and 4 m. The thickness of thiszone is up to 16 m.

In slightly weathered zone, rock matrix weathering beginswith discoloration of rocks along discontinuities surfaces. Therange of rock color in this zone is from light pink to light gray.Four major joint sets are predicted in this zone in which morethan half of the joints are vertical. Moreover, average spacingand trace length of joints are respectively about 0.5 and 3.4 m.The thickness of slightly weathered rock is up to 8.5 m.

In moderately weathered zone, less than half of the rockmatrix is decomposed or disintegrated to the soil. The color ofrock in this zone ranges from light brown to dark gray. Amaximum of four joint sets can be found, and less than half ofthe joints are vertical. Mean spacing and trace length of thejoints are respectively about 0.4 and 2 m. The thickness of thiszone is up to 6 m.

The highly weathered zone is divided into two gradesbased on the presence of corestone. In both grades, more thanhalf of the rock matrix is decomposed or disintegrated to thesoil. Corestones exist in grade (a) whereas in grade (b) nocorestone is visible. Amaximum number of three joint sets are

Fig. 7 Percentage of jointinclinations versus massweathering grade

Table 3 Statistical results of joint trace length in different mass weathering grades

Mass weathering grade Masai Putri Wangsa Combined

n Mean (m) Standard deviation n Mean (m) Standard deviation n Mean (m) Standard deviation

F 294 4.13 2.47 281 4.02 2.17 575 4.07 2.33

SW 203 3.36 2.2 305 3.39 2.18 508 3.38 2.19

MW 165 2.14 1.83 132 1.82 1.52 297 2.00 1.71

HW 253 1.45 1.07 314 1.64 1.43 567 1.55 1.28

CW 326 1.39 1.48 253 1.37 1.56 579 1.38 1.52

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visible in this zone, and approximately half of the joints arehorizontal. Average spacing and trace length of the joints arerespectively about 0.5 and 1.5 m. The maximum thickness ofthis zone is 13 m.

In completely weathered zone, two grades are identifiedbased on presence of corestone. In grade (a), uniformweathering leads to a gradual decrease of weathering to adepth where no corestone can be found. However, the pres-ence of corestones surrounded by decomposed rock disturbsthe uniformity of weathering in grade (b). All rock matricesare decomposed to the soil but the original structure of rockmass is commonly preserved in this zone. A maximum num-ber of two joint sets may be found, and horizontal joints aredominant. Mean spacing and trace length of the joints arerespectively about 0.8 and 1.4 m. The thickness of this zoneis up to 10.5 m.

In residual soil, parent rock completely decomposed to thesoil. Consequently, there is no rock texture or mass preserved.This zone may be partially covered by vegetation. The max-imum thickness of this zone is 4 m.

Conclusion

This paper studied the relationship between joint characteri-zation and the state of weathering in two areas of weatheredgranitic rock in Johor, South Malaysia. In the mentionedstudy, different joint parameters including spacing, tracelength, orientation, and inclination were considered. The re-sults of statistical analysis showed that frequency of jointspacing and joint trace length follow the normal distribution.This finding coincides with the results of Sousa (2007), Ehlen(2002), Hudson and Harrison (1997), and Priest (1993). Theminimum and maximum means of spacing were respectivelyin moderately weathered and fresh rocks; however, the overalltrend of mean spacing versus mass weathering grades did notfollow any specific pattern. In contrast, mean trace lengthchanged with decreasing trend over weathering states fromfresh to completely weathered.

Another finding of the present paper was the relationbetween joint inclination and mass weathering grades. Theresults revealed an increasing trend in the percentage of hor-izontal joints along with the progress of weathering from freshto completely weathered rocks. Also, a decreasing trend wasnoted in the percentage of vertical joints for the same

Table 4 Percentage of different joint inclinations in each massweathering grade

Mass weathering grade Joint inclination

Horizontal (%) Inclined (%) Vertical (%)

F 12.00 27.13 60.87

SW 18.50 26.18 55.31

MW 24.92 30.30 44.78

HW 52.91 24.51 22.57

CW 59.76 26.60 13.64

Fig. 8 Trend of joint inclinationin different mass weatheringgrades

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Table 5 Proposed typical weathering profile for granite in Johor, Malaysia

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weathering progress. No specific relation was found betweenthe percentage of joint inclination and the progress ofweathering.

In order to propose the typical weathering profile for thementioned areas, the sketches of 24 panels of rock exposureswere mapped based on site observation and classification ofISRM (2007). A typical profile was proposed based on de-scriptions of joint characterization, topography and geologicalcondition, and rock appearance. It includes a complete rangeof weathering from fresh to residual soil and two subgrades forcompletely weathered and highly weathered zones. The extrasubgrades were defined based on the presence of corestones.Regarding to the corestone weathering, the finding of thepresent study is similar to the weathering profile of Price(2009). It is believed that the results of this paper may con-tribute to rock mass classification and engineering design.

Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia (UTM) for its financial support. We appreciate thecooperation of site managers and technicians of Putri Wangsa and Masaiquarries during the site investigation of this study.

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