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Mechanical properties on alluvium blocks and core samples were determined to support the Source Physics Experiment Dry Alluvium Geology experimental series. Because material was not available directly from the experimental location, the alluvium blocks and core samples are intended to serve as surrogate material . P - and S - wave velocity was measured on cubes cut from the alluvium blocks and core with the intention to study variation from water content and measured direction (material anisotropy). Indirect tensile tests were conducted dry and with moisture ranging from 6 to 9.1%. For the range of water content tested, increasing moisture level resulted in slower P - and S - wave velocities. P - and S - wave variability is less influenced by material heterogeneity than moisture content. P - wave velocity ranges from 629 m/s to 2599 m/s and S - wave velocity ranges from 288 m/s to 1200 m/s. Counter to the velocity measurement findings, material variability on indirect tensile strength has a greater effect than moisture content. Compared to dry strength and at moisture levels from 6 to 9% the block's tensile strength was lowered by at least a factor of 5. Indirect tensile strength for the first block averaged 0.35 MPa and 0.25 MPa for dry and 8.9% moisture respectively. For the second block indirect tensile strength averaged 0.05 MPa for both dry and 6.4% moisture.

Two blocks of alluvium were extensively tested at the Sandia National Laboratories Geomechanics laboratory. The alluvium blocks are intended to serve as surrogate material for mechanical property determinations to support the SPE DAG experimental series. From constant mean stress triaxial testing, strength failure envelopes were parameterized and are presented for each block. Modulus and stress relationships are given including bulk modulus versus mean stress, shear modulus versus shear stress, Young's modulus versus axial stress and Poisson's ratio versus axial stress. In addition, P-&S-wave velocities, and porosity, determined using helium porosimetry, were obtained on each block. Generally, both Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio increase with increasing axial stress, bulk modulus increases with increasing pressure, and increases more dramatically upon pore crush, shear modulus decreases with increasing shear stress and then appears to plateau. The Unconfined Compressive Strength for the BM is in the range of 0.5-0.6, and for SM in the range of 2.0-2.6 MPa. The confined compressive strength increases with increasing confining pressure, and the BM alluvium is significantly weaker compared to SM alluvium for mean stress levels above 8 MPa. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would like to thank Steve Bauer and Moo Lee for their critical reviews of the report. The authors acknowledge the support of the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development for funding this work. This paper describes objective technical results and analysis. Any subjective views or opinions that might be expressed in the paper do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Energy or the United States Government.

Abstract not provided.