Estimating the sawability of large diameter circular saws based on classification of natural stone types according to the geological origin

Abstract

Different physico-mechanical parameters (density, uniaxial compressive strength, Brazilian tensile strength, Cerchar abrasivity index, Schmidt hammer hardness, Shore scleroscope hardness, and mean grain size) were used to find out the sawability of large diameter circular saws in the metamorphic and sedimentary natural stones. The simple, multiple linear and non-linear regression models were developed for estimation of the areal slab production rate of the large diameter circular saws. First, simple regression analyses were performed to find out the best relationships between the dependent variable (areal slab production rate) and each independent variable (physico-mechanical properties) in three different groups of natural stones as metamorphic, sedimentary, and metamorphic/sedimentary (combined). Second, multiple linear and non-linear regression analyses were carried out using selected independent variables. Then, the significances of these models were statistically validated. The models developed in this study could be used by planners and natural stone producing companies for cost prognosis and sawing operation schedule in the metamorphic and sedimentary stones.