Paper contribution

The rock mechanical background of the Praid salt mine disaster

Edina Bartakovics; Ákos Török; Balazs Vasarhelyi

Proceedings
EUROCK 2026
Pages
977-982
Submitted
28 January 2026
Accepted
15 June 2026
Published
12 August 2026

Summary

Abstract

The rock mechanical behaviour of salt is a less-studied field of engineering geology. Its importance became clear when a surface stream flooded the subsurface salt mine of Praid (Transylvania, Romania). When experts were planning the response to the disaster after the accident in May 2025, they faced the problem that the mechanical properties of the host rock were hardly understood. This study tries to bridge this gap by using block samples from the salt mine. The rock mechanical parameters of the Praid rock salt were analysed using non-destructive tests such as ultrasonic pulse velocity tests. Cylindrical test specimens were prepared, and strength parameters were determined. Uniaxial compressive strength tests, Brazilian indirect tensile strength, and triaxial tests were performed. With the help of these measurements, it was possible to determine the failure criterion of rock salts. The composition and effect of the clay content of the salts on the mechanical properties were also analysed. Our goal was to provide data that could help plan further defence.

Contributors

Authors

  1. Edina Bartakovics Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary ORCID 0009-0000-9272-7968
  2. Ákos Török Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary ORCID 0000-0002-5394-4510
  3. Balazs Vasarhelyi Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary ORCID 0000-0002-0568-1031

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References

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