Rock analysis to characterize Saudi soft sandstone rock

Abstract As more engineering projects and activities are taking place on around weak rocks, it is becoming important to study characterize them. Since regular practices of rock mechanical testing not effective for special laboratory tests measurements were performed the Alkharj Saudi sandstone which a clastic dominantly sandy limestone sandstone. Test results presented in this paper. Porosity, permeability, properties (stress, strain, Poisson's ratio, confined compressive strength unconfined strength) obtained then used proposed rock. This paper provides mean classifying soft rocks despite encountered problems handling such materials.