Micro-structures and the basic engineering properties of beach calcarenites in South China Sea

Beach calcarenite is a sedimentary rock deposited on tidal beaches of coral reefs in the South China Sea. This study investigated beach calcarenite samples collected from different locations in the South China Sea and coastal areas by using both micro- and macro-structure study techniques. The objective of this study was to establish the major parameters that control the strength. The results indicated that the beach calcarenite is characterized by low unit weight, high porosity, and large permeability. The degree of cementation of the beach calcarenites was between weak and medium. The saturation of the samples reduced their uniaxial compressive strengths. The correlation analyses of parameters indicated that the unit weight and the cementation are major parameters affecting the compressive strength of beach calcarenite samples. Both porosity and grain size are secondary parameters with an insignificant effect on the compressive strength of the beach calcarenite.