Summary
A dimensionless quantitative measure of rock texture, describing grain: —shape, orientation, degree of grain interlocking and relative proportions of grains and matrix (packing density) has been developed. Data required for the model are obtained by image analysis of thin sections and concerns percentage areas of grains and matrix, length, breadth, perimeter, orientation and area of each grain in the viewing window. The results of rock strength, diamond and percussion drillability tests in eleven sandstones, marbles and igneous rocks are reported, and correlated with the developed texture coefficient. The texture coefficient returns highly statistically significant correlations with rock strength and drillability data. Sandstones have low texture coefficients and high drillability whereas igneous rocks have high texture coefficients and low drillability. With particular reference to percussive drillability it is suggested that extensional crack propagation in the sandstones in an energy efficient process since fracture paths propagate through the weak phyllosilicate matrix. Extensional crack propagation in the igneous rocks is an energy intensive process since a significant proportion of the available drilling energy is consumed in the formation of intra-granular fracture paths. Observational and correlated data are supportive of the suggestion that the texture coefficient is a measure of the resistance of the microstructure of a rock to crack propagation, whether it be inter-or intra-granular. The texture coefficient can be used as a predictive tool for the assessment of drillability and rock strength properties. The technique offers a useful approach in understanding fracture initiation and growth as controlled by the texture of intact rock samples.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bell, F. G. (1978): The physical and mechanical properties of the Fell Sandstones, Northumberland, England. Eng. Geol. (No. 12), 1–29.
Bieniawski, Z. T. (1967): Mechanism of brittle fracture. Rock Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., Vol. 4, 395–430.
Blindheim, O. T. (1979): Drillability predictions in hard rock tunnelling. Tunneling '79. (London: Inst. Min. Metall.) 284–289.
Brook, N. (1977): The use of irregular specimens for rock strength tests. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci and Geomech. Abstr. 14, 193–202.
Brown, E. T. (Ed.) (1981): Rock characterization testing and monitoring. ISRM suggested methods. Pergamon Press. p. 211.
Dreyer, W. (1972): The Science of Rock Mechanics, Part 1, Trans. Tech. Publications, Cleveland, U. S. A. p. 295.
Dube, A. K., Singh, B. (1972): Effect of humidity on tensile strength of sandstone. J. Mines Metals. Fuels,20 (No. 1) 8–10.
Duncan, N. (1969): Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics. Leonard Hill, London, p. 314.
Ehrlich, R., Weinberg, B. (1970): An exact method for characterization of grain shape. J. Sedimentary Petrology, Vol. 40 (No. 1), 205–212.
Gunsallus, K. L., Kulhawy, F. N. (1984): A comparative evaluation of rock strength measures. Int. J. Rock Mech. and Min. Sci. and Geomech. Abstr., Vol. 21 (No. 5), 233–248.
Herdan, G., Smith, M. L. (1953): Small particle statistics. Elsevier Publishing Company, Houston, p. 66.
Hoek, E. (1965): Rock fracture under static stress conditions, CSIR Report, MEG, 383, p. 159.
Howarth, D. F., Adamson, W. R. and Berndt, J. R. (1986): Correlation of model tunnel boring and drilling machine performances with rock properties. Int. J. Rock Mech. & Min. Sci. 23 (No. 2), 171–175.
Hugman, R. H., Friedman, M. (1979): Effects of texture and composition on mechanical behaviour of experimentally deformed carbonate rocks. Amer. Assoc. of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin. Vol. 63, (No. 9), 1478–1489.
Lein, R. (1961): En indirekte undersokelses-metode for bestemmelse av bergartenes borbarhet. Technical Thesis. Norwegian Technical University Trondheim (unpublished).
Lindqvist et al. (1984): Indentation fracture development in rock continuously observed with a scanning electron microscope. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. & Geomech. Abstr., Vol. 21 (No. 4), 165–182.
Misra, B. (1972): Correlation of rock properties with machine performance. Ph. D. Thesis. Leeds University.
Niggli, P. (1958): Gesteins- und Minerallagerstätten — Verlag Birkhäuser. Basel.
Olsson, W. A. (1974): Grain size dependence of yield stress in marble. J. Geophys. Res. Vol. 79, (No. 32), 4859–4861.
Onodera, T. F., Asoka Kumara, H. M. (1980): Relation between texture and mechanical properties of crystalline rocks. Bulletin Int. Assoc. Eng. Geol. (No. 22), 173–177.
Oosthuyzen, E. J. (1983): The application of automatic image analysis to mineralogy and extractive metallurgy. Spec. Publ. Geol. Soc. S. Afr. (No. 7), 449–464.
Paone, J., Bruce, W. E., Virciglio, P. R. (1965): Drillability Studies—Statistical Regression Analysis of Diamond Drilling. USBM RI 6880, 29p.
Paone, J., Madson, D., Bruce, W. E. (1970): Drillability studies—laboratory percussive drilling. USBM RI 7300, 22p.
Price, N. J. (1960): The compressive strength of coal measure rocks. Colliery Engineering, Vol. 37 (No. 437), 283–292.
Protodyakanov, M. M. (1962): Mechanical properties and drillability of rocks. Proc. 5th Symp. Rock Mech. Univ. Minnesota, May, 103–118.
Rabia, H., Brook, N. (1980): An empirical equation for drill performance prediction. 21st U. S. Symp. on rock Mech. Univ. Missouri-Rolla, May, 103–111.
Rabia, H., Brook, N. (1981): The effects of apparatus size and surface area of charge on the impact strength of rock. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. and Geomech. Abstr. 18, 211–219.
Roxborough, F. F., Phillips, H. R. (1975): The mechanical properties and cutting characteristics of the Bunter Sandstone. Report to T. R. R. L. (UK) p. 211.
Rzhevsky, V., Novik, G. (1971): The physics of rocks. MIR publishers, Moscow, p. 320.
Selmer-Olsen, R., Blindheim, O. T. (1970): On the drillability of rock by percussive drilling. Proc. 2nd Cong. ISRM, Belgrade, 65–70.
Smordinov, M. I., Motovilov, E. A., Volkov, V. A. (1970): Determination of correlation relationships between strength and some physical characteristics of rocks. Proc. 2nd Cong. Int. Soc. Rock Mech., Belgrade,2, 35–37.
Spiegel, M. R. (1972): Schaum's outline series—Theory and problems of statistics. McGraw Hill, p. 359.
Sprunt, E. S. & Brace, W. F. (1974): Direct observations of microcavities in crystalline rocks. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. & Geomech. Abstr., 11, 139–150.
Tandanand, S., Unger, H. F. (1975): Drillability Determination—A drillability Index for Percussion Drills. USBM RI 8073, 20 p.
Tsoutrelis, C. E. (1969): Determination of the compressive strength of rock in situ or in test blocks using a diamond drill. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., Vol. 6, 311–321.
Williams, H. et al. (1982): Petrography, W. H. Freeman & Company, San Francisco, p. 369.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Howarth, D.F., Rowlands, J.C. Quantitative assessment of rock texture and correlation with drillability and strength properties. Rock Mech Rock Engng 20, 57–85 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01019511
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01019511