Comment on “Correlation of P and S-Waves with Cutting Specific Energy and Dominant Properties of Volcanic and Carbonate Rocks” by A. Ersoy and U. Atici, Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering 2007 40(5), 491-504

Abstract

The paper by Ersoy and Atici (2007) aims at establishing correlations between seismic wave velocity and cutting specific energy (SCE) of some selected rocks, determined during circular sawing experiments. An indirect method of SCE estimation has been provided which could be useful in practice. In the stone processing industry, the SCE can be used to monitor the efficiency of a sawing process and for estimating the power requirements. However, SCE is not a fundamental intrinsic property of rock. It is mainly influenced by the operational parameters (cutting depth, sawblade peripheral speed, feed rate, cutting mode, blade specifications, etc.), and the rock properties (mechanical strength, mineralogical and petrographic properties, etc.). Consequently, it is often difficult to compare the SCE values reported by different researchers working in the field of stone processing. Although a precise comparison of the data provided by different researchers cannot be made, there is benefit in examining the magnitudes of SCE values obtained for different operating conditions and rocks. Ozcelik et al. (2001) carried out circular sawing tests in a stone processing plant to examine the relations between rock parameters and SCE in the processing of andesites. In their study, SCE values obtained from the sawing tests ranged from 1.66 to 2.00 J/mm. Buyuksagis and Goktan (2005) undertook an experimental study to investigate the sawability characteristics of seven different types of calcium carbonate marbles during circular sawing. Depending on the testing conditions and the marble tested, SCE values from 0.6 to 2.10 J/mm were obtained. Xipeng et al. (2001) conducted a literature survey on the specific energy of granites as determined in circular sawing with diamond segmented sawblades. They reported specific energy values ranging from 3.2 to 6.9 J/mm. As shown from the literature survey above, SCE values ranging from 0.6 to 6.9 J/ mm have been reported, which can be attributed to the differences in the adopted