Assessment of anisotropy effect on engineering behavior of anisotropic rocks using cylindrical punch test

In order to assess anisotropy effect on engineering behavior of anisotropic rocks, 5 types of metamorphic rocks from central and southern parts of Hamedan province were selected and studied in laboratory. Mineralogical and petrographical results show that anisotropy property of these rocks are affected by the presence of oriented minerals and weakness planes such as cleavage, schistosity, foliation and also banding fabric of rocks. The obtained results from calculating of physical properties show that these properties are related to each other. In this research, in addition to introduce the cylindrical punch test, strength anisotropy of studied rocks was assessed. The results from cylindrical punch test indicated that strength properties of studied rocks are controlled by orientation of anisotropy planes. As a result, the minimum punch strength of rock samples was obtained in parallel to anisotropy planes and the its maximum was obtained in perpendicular to anisotropy planes.