Paper Title
Relationships between Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity, Mechanical Properties and Mineral Compositions of Maha Sarakham Salt

Abstract
Ultrasonic Pulse velocities have been measured from salt core specimens containing different amounts of anhydrite and carnallite inclusions. Uniaxial compression tests are performed to correlate the wave velocities and dynamic properties with the mechanical properties of the specimens. Mineral compositions are identified by X-ray diffraction analyses. Results indicate that the dynamic Young’s moduli increase linearly with increasing anhydrite contents and with decreasing carnallite contents. The dynamic Poisson’s ratios however decrease when the anhydrite inclusion increases. A linear equation can well describe the relationship between the static and dynamic Young’s moduli. Compressive strength and stiffness of the salt specimens also increase when the anhydrite increases and carnallite decreases. The correlations between the P- and S-waves velocities with the salt mechanical properties can be used for the preliminary design and analysis of support pillar in underground potash mines where the anhydrite and carnallite inclusions are encountered. Keywords - Dynamic Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, Elasticity, Compressive strength.