Geostatistical assessment of unconfined compressive strength of rocks in Northeast Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The determination of rock strength holds paramount importance in the field engineering geology. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive geostatistical evaluation unconfined compressive (UCS) within 100 km2 area situated northeast Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. UCS values were indirectly estimated using an empirical equation based on Schmidt hammer rebound method, resulting range strengths from 9.2 to 198.4 MPa. corresponding mean vary between 60.3 81.7 MPa, with standard deviations ranging 18.6 45.3 analysis revealed that, among sites examined, specific location exhibited highest median value 72.2 while another site recorded lowest 56.2 Based distribution values, study was classified into five distinct categories: very low, medium, high, and high. Notably, majority variability confined middle 50% range, as evident interquartile (IQR) below 30 Additionally, certain displayed tighter cluster IQR DEFJ≥60 indicated more widespread values. Furthermore, two locations identified representing minimum maximum 95% confidence interval. A at 60.25±9.14 whereas B, it 81.72±8.50 These findings offer valuable insights characteristics designated area, providing essential data for geotechnical applications.