Abstract
Truchas Syncline slates has been exploited since the second half of the last century to perform roof slate, as the main industrial application which implies an important economic profit to the mine companies working in this area. Petrographic studies from visu to microscopic scale, added to the physical property determinations report a better reological knowledge of this rocks. Ultrasonic measurements led us establish rock elastic constants, by a non destructive method, and it would inform about rock behaviour during exploitation works in slate quarries. Planar fabric and inclination of the cleavage planes are the main parameters involved in the propagation of the ultrasonic waves including lithologic changes. Maximum values obtained from the ultrasonic propagation are reached when foliation appears at 90º (waves travel along foliation planes) and minimum when waves travel at 0º, perpendicular way at foliation plane. Linear correlation has been obtanined to the main elastic constant from slates but not to Poisson relation.
