SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1976
STP32345S

Suitability of Shale as a Construction Material

Source

A study of many shale-like rocks from Pennsylvania was made to develop a material specification which would define shales suitable for use in appropriate types of construction. Specimens of shale were subjected to a wide variety of physical, chemical, and petrographic analyses.

A simple classification of argillaceous rocks shows the nomenclature of shale-like rocks. A two-part test procedure was developed for rapid acceptance or rejection of shales in the field: screen by on-site observation of lamination thickness and weathering characteristics, and make final selections by using both an ethylene glycol soaking test and a modified Washington degradation test. Limiting values of the Washington degradation factor have been selected for specific uses of shale in construction.

Author Information

Reidenouer, DR
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Harrisburg, Pa.
Geiger, EG
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Harrisburg, Pa.
Howe, RH
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Harrisburg, Pa.
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Details
Developed by Committee: C09
Pages: 59–75
DOI: 10.1520/STP32345S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4673-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0391-7