Durability Based Classification and Characterization of the Rocks of the Sub-Himalayas, Pakistan

This manuscript pivots around the durability results at the laboratory scale for the rocks of the sub-Himalayas. The sedimentary origin rocks of sub-Himalayas comprising sandstone, siltstone, claystone, mudstone, and silt-shale induce weathering-based failures in the cut and natural slopes. The higher weathering/slaking rates of incompetent lithologies such as claystone and mudstone cause failures in overlying competent sandstone/siltstone/silt-shale, units. During the geotechnical investigations, defining the descriptive categories of the rocks with any classification is the initial step. Slake Durability Tests are commonly used to classify and characterize clay-bearing rocks. This research utilized three different durability-based systems, and rocks were characterized. These classification systems are based on the slake durability index, disintegration ratio, and relative slake durability index. The research concludes that the relative slake durability classification over-estimates the durability of the rocks. This manuscript also concludes that a durability-based classification and detailed investigations should also be initiated for the sub-Himalayan region.