Abstract
Block volumes are generally estimated by analyzing the discontinuity spacing measurements obtained either from the scan lines placed over the rock exposures or the borehole cores. Discontinuity spacing measurements made at the Mesozoic limestone quarries in Karaburun Peninsula were used to estimate the average block volumes that could be produced from them using the suggested methods in the literature. The Block Quality Designation (BQD) ratio method proposed by the authors has been found to have given in the same order of the rock block volume to the volumetric joint count (J v) method. Moreover, dimensions of the 2378 blocks produced between the years of 2009 and 2011 in the working quarries have been recorded. Assuming, that each block surfaces is a discontinuity, the mean block volume (V b), the mean volumetric joint count (J vb) and the mean block shape factor of the blocks are determined and compared with the estimated mean in situ block volumes (V in) and volumetric joint count (J vi) values estimated from the in situ discontinuity measurements. The established relations are presented as a chart to be used in practice for estimating the mean volume of blocks that can be obtained from a quarry site by analyzing the rock mass discontinuity spacing measurements.
Highlights
Dimensions of the blocks that can be extracted from a rock mass are governed by the discontinuity planes present in it
A chart is presented in Figure 10 by using the various relations determined between the in situ discontinuity spacing data obtained at limestone quarries of the Karaburun Peninsula and the dimensions of limestone blocks produced in them (Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9)
The following conclusions are reached with reference to the analysis of the discontinuities spacing measurement made at the limestone quarries in the Karaburun Peninsula and the analyzing of the blocks dimensions produced in these quarries
Summary
Dimensions of the blocks that can be extracted from a rock mass are governed by the discontinuity planes present in it. Latham et al [23] claimed that the angle between the drilling direction and discontinuity plane happens to be mostly 35∘ and suggested the calculation of in situ block volume (Vi) from the mean joint spacing (Sm) for general use by assuming that the shape factor β = 36: Vi. Palmstrom [24] stated that the block volume in rock masses bearing three or more joint sets could be estimated from the equation below using the discontinuity spacing and the angles between the joint sets (S1 × S2 × S3). The volumetric joint count, and BQD values were determined for each quarry and their estimated values are given in Tables 1 and 2 By using these discontinuity spacing values, (Tables 1 and 2), mean in-situ block volumes of the each studied quarry using (1)–(10). A graph was proposed to predict the mean trimmed block size, by analyzing the discontinuity spacing data measured in the field
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