Aggregates Of Grains Research Articles

FACIES ANALYSIS AND STRATIGRAPHIC SEQUENCE ARCHITECTURE IN A BACK-ARC BASIN IN CENTRAL IRAN: A CASE STUDY FROM THE EARLY MIOCENE OF THE QOM FORMATION

Marine deposits of the Qom Formation, which is an important gas reservoir in Central Iran with the age of Early Oligocene to Early Miocene, is studied to determine facies, sedimentary paleoenvironment, and depositional sequences. The primary lithology is limestone, which is accompanied by a conglomerate, sandy marl, marl, and sandy limestone. Based on siliciclastic content, textural analysis, and the biotic constituents, ten facies have been identified. These facies belong to five depositional settings, including delta, a tidal inlet, lagoon, shoal, and open marine. According to the absence of continuous and large barrier reefs, gradual vertical variation in facies from the transitional environment (delta) to shallow open marine, the absence of oncoid, pisoid and aggregate grains that are mostly present in rimmed carbonate shelf environments, the absence of calciturbidites and slump and slide structures, the Qom Formation has been deposited in a homoclinal ramp setting (inner, middle and outer ramp). Field studies and vertical facies variation architecture in the framework of depositional system tracts led to the recognition of two 3rd order depositional sequences in the Early Miocene (Aquitanian) time. Sedimentary facies in the Qom Formation that mainly occurred in the middle ramp setting reveal a mostly aggredational stacking pattern in depositional sequences. The Early Miocene sequences stratigraphic architecture of the Qom Formation based on correlation charts are similar to the regional sequences of the Arabian plate and Zagros basin.

МОДЕЛЬ РАЗРУШЕНИЯ ИДЕАЛИЗИРОВАННОЙ СТРУКТУРЫ БЕТОНА ПИЛЕНИЕМ

the requirements of modern construction are the strength of building structures, as well as low cost. It is these conditions that provide new technologies that are constantly being improved. The article is devoted to the consideration of cases of a probabilistic approach to solving the problem of theoretical energy consumption for the destruction of concrete of ideal structure.
 The processes of concrete deformation and its destruction are studied by building mechanics. Concrete is a multicomponent material, which presents a certain difficulty in the study of crack formation. In operating conditions, the concrete/reinforced concrete structure is affected by the properties of its constituent materials; therefore, one of the most important tasks is the selection of criteria that can comprehensively characterize the basic parameters of concrete. Obtaining the strength characteristics of concrete of operated structures remains an urgent task. The article proposes to consider the ideal structure of concrete. The features of this structure are the symmetry of fracture along two principal planes. The destruction of concrete was carried out by sawing individual strips of concrete. Moreover, to describe the sawing process, the authors proposed a model of a symmetric structure of concrete in which aggregate grains are idealized. They are presented in the form of balls in the body of concrete.
 The features of the sawing process are revealed. The analytical dependencies of fracture sawing the ideal structure of concrete are obtained.
 Conclusions are drawn about the possibility of using the ideal model for obtaining the strength characteristics of concrete. The analysis of symmetrical ideal concrete compositions with various variables is performed. The significance of the work done lies in the possibility of transferring the research results to real buildings and structures and solving the main tasks that are posed in the study

Impact of Sample Size and Maximum Aggregate Grain on the Representativeness of Concrete Samples

One of the basic criteria for the representativeness of composite material samples is the similarity of the quantitative and qualitative composition of the material in the sample to that of the material it represents. The article presents the results of experimental research concerning the impact of the ratio of the minimum size of cubic concrete samples (lmin) to the maximum size of aggregate grain (Dmax). The content of the basic components of concrete, i.e., coarse aggregate, mortar, sand and cement paste, was analysed. The content of these components in the concrete sample was identified by means of analysis of the sample cross-sectional image, and then, compared with the contents resulting from the concrete mixture proportion. Cases where lmin/Dmax was between 2.38 and 12.5 were analysed. The results of the study indicate a moderate correlation between these two parameters. The largest discrepancies between the component contents of the sample and the controlled concrete were usually recorded at the extreme values of the lmin/Dmax ratio. These discrepancies, depending on the component in question, range from approx. −15 to approx. +15%. Acceptable deviations (≤ ±5%) result in the value of this ratio within the estimated range between approximately 5.0 and approximately 10.0. In existing standards, the use of samples that meet the requirement lmin/Dmax ≥ 3.0 or 3.5 is recommended. In light of the presented test results, this requirement is sufficient for the material properties that are not sensitive to slight variation in concrete composition, i.e., compressive and tensile strength. The presented results are useful in the case of sample size selection for the study of concrete properties which are most sensitive to concrete composition changes. These properties include water absorption, permeability to liquids and gases, thermal properties, etc.

Influence of Maximum Aggregate Grain Size on the Strength Properties and Modulus of Elasticity of Concrete

Depending on the dimensions of concrete elements, aggregates of different grain sizes are used for the building structures. Taking this fact into account, the authors of the paper have undertaken in their work an issue concerning the analysis of the influence of maximum aggregate grain size on the strength properties and modulus of elasticity of concrete. This is also due to the fact that few published research results are available in this area. In this paper, the influence of the maximum grain size on the basic strength and deformation properties of concrete is discussed. The research concerns both concretes and gravel aggregates used for their construction with maximum grain sizes of 8 mm, 16 mm and 31.5 mm. The values of the compressive and splitting tensile strength, brittleness and modulus of elasticity of concretes with w/c = 0.45 were analysed. The analysis showed that the strength properties are proportional not only to the maximum size of aggregate grain, but also to the crushing strength of the aggregate. There were no analogous relations found with respect to the modulus of elasticity of the tested concretes. Tensile strength was particularly susceptible to the observed changes.

Transition coefficients between compressive strengths of samples with different shape and size in mass concrete and use of weight maturity method in dam construction

AbstractMass concrete (MC) is widely used in dam concretes due to their large aggregate grain diameters, low cement dosage, and low hydration temperatures. Monitoring of the hydration temperature and compressive strength is an important consideration during the casting of MC in the field. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between the compressive strengths of cylindrical specimens with different maximum aggregate grain diameters (Dmax) and different dimensions in MCs used in dam construction and to investigate the usability of the weighted maturity method in determining the compressive strength of dam MC. In this study, the compressive strength transition coefficient (fck ø15 × 30/fck ø25 × 50) of the cylindrical samples with different dimensions in MC was found to be 1.135. It was found that the weight maturity method can be used to estimate concrete strength in dam MC with low hydration temperature.

The mineralogical and physical behavior of brick aggregates in twelfth century brick-lime stepwell plasters of Gandhak-ki-baoli, New Delhi

ABSTRACT We report studies on brick-lime stepwell plasters used in the construction of twelfth century Gandhak-ki-baoli in south Delhi. The analytical examinations were performed using thin section, sieve analysis, XRD, XRF, FTIR, SEM-EDX and thermal analysis of the plasters. Studies indicate that elevated temperature fired coarse brick aggregate mainly improved the mechanical properties and permeability of the plaster. The coarse brick grains played the role of filler, as analytical examination evidenced the existence of partial hydraulicity in the plasters. Sieve analysis demonstrates the use of mainly medium to coarse size aggregate grains leading to better carbonation of lime. XRD and FTIR data indicate brick used was fired at a high temperature that destroyed the crystalline structure of the clays and loss of pozzolanic activity due to the reduced surface area and formation of high-temperature mineral phases. The Calcium silicate formed at the brick-lime junction reduced the porosity and improved the strength of the plaster beside making the plaster partial hydraulic.

Mechanism of Interaction between Concrete Cement Matrix and Mineral Additive Particles

A nature of the forces, which act between the concrete cement matrix and entrained mineral particles (ground additives, fine and coarse additives), has been considered. It has been shown that the adhesion between them is attributable to the forces of different nature. The strongest adhesion between the particles of the hydrated binding material and mineral additives occurs, when materials, which react with calcium hydrate of the pore fluid, are used. The latter includes glassy wollastonite, which is part of granulated blast furnace slag. Even at a temperature of 25 °C, an aggressive interaction between them is observed and firm chemical bonds occur. In such case, the dissociation energy of such bonds ranges from 400 to 500 kJ per bond. Between materials, such as crystalline wollastonite and the concrete cement matrix, there is an epitaxial coalescence of its basal surfaces and tobermorite calcium hydrosilicates formed by the interaction of the binder with water. A direct contact is required between the reacting surfaces for such interaction. This is implemented by virtue of the bond, which is attributable to contraction forces resulting from shrinkage strains of the hydrated particles in the concrete cement matrix. Internal strains of the cement that are attributable to contraction, shrinkage, and carbonization of hydrated compounds result in the cement sheath contracting around the aggregate grains and steel reinforcement. Internal strains of the cement stone can be calculated using the Lame equation. We have reviewed the role of the factors, which are most critical for contraction of the cement ring around coarse particles of the aggregate and for stress-strain properties of artificial conglomerates, which have different composition and purpose.

Electromigration Damage of Flexible Electronic Lines Printed With Ag Nanoparticle Ink

Abstract Flexible printed circuits (FPCs) are widely used in electronic equipment such as mobile devices and wearable sensors. The conductive electric lines in these circuits are printed using nanoparticle metal ink and ink-jet direct write methods. Physical characteristics such as flexibility and mechanical durability of metal nanoparticle ink lines have been evaluated by bending or tensile tests. In contrast, the electrical characteristics of these lines have not been sufficiently evaluated, and the failure mechanism under high-density current has not been clarified. When electric devices are scaled down, current density and Joule heating increase in conductive lines and electromigration (EM) damage becomes a severe problem. Therefore, reducing the EM damage is extremely important to enhance the device reliability. In this study, a failure analysis of Ag nanoparticle ink lines were assessed using current loading tests and microscopic observations to discuss the damage mechanism and evaluate electrical reliability under high-density current. Atomic transport due to EM was observed at 60 kA/cm2 current loading, and relatively large aggregates and grain growth were observed at 120 kA/cm2 current loading. The time to open circuit was longer at 120 kA/cm2 than at 60 kA/cm2. The formation of large aggregates and unstable changes in the potential drop were observed at the two values of current density. It is considered that aggregate formation and grain growth affected the atomic transport by EM.

Sediments of the almost-atoll Aitutaki, Cook Islands, South Pacific

Modern sedimentary facies in the shallow platform interior of the almost-atoll of Aitutaki, Cook Islands, is significant, because abundant non-skeletal grains have been discovered in this Pacific location and also in some adjacent carbonate platforms. Abundant non-skeletal carbonate grain occurrences have been classically placed in the western Atlantic and the Arabian/Persian Gulf, but not in the Indo-Pacific realm. In order of decreasing abundance, non-skeletal grains in Aitutaki include peloids, aggregate grains, and ooids. Peloids are largely cemented fecal pellets, and their occurrence is controlled by the occurrence of mollusk and crustacean producers in the interior platform. Ooids, which are characterized by thin and irregular cortices, and aggregate grains appear to be more common at the platform margin in environments of somewhat elevated depositional energy. In general, high alkalinity in this part of the south Pacific seems to be another precondition of non-skeletal grain formation. The fine grain-size fraction reaches an abundance of 70% in the platform interior (average 41.5%) and is largely of skeletal origin. Based on the quantitative analysis of texture and composition of samples, two groups of sediment types may be distinguished including coralgal grainstones and packstones that occur at the platform margin as well as peloidal and mixed skeletal-peloidal wackestones and packstones in the platform interior. These two types may be further differentiated into eight sedimentary facies including (1) peloidal wackestone, (2) peloidal packstone, (3) mud-rich skeletal-peloidal packstone, (4) skeletal-peloidal packstone, (5) skeletal-peloidal grainstone, (6) coralgal packstone, (7) coralgal grainstone, and (8) coralgal-aggregate grainstone. Sediment texture is correlated with water depth, which is considered a good proxy for depositional energy. Considerable bathymetric overlap exists, however, between sedimentary facies. Also, facies distribution in the platform interior appears to be fragmentary rather than being characterized by laterally extensive units. These observations have to be considered when using sedimentary facies distribution in modern reefs and carbonate platforms as models for ancient systems in the fossil record.

Microstructure and crystallography of the wall plates of the giant barnacle Austromegabalanus psittacus: a material organized by crystal growth.

In biomineralization, it is essential to know the microstructural and crystallographic organization of natural hard tissues. This knowledge is virtually absent in the case of barnacles. Here, we have examined the crystal morphology and orientation of the wall plates of the giant barnacle Austromegabalanus psittacus by means of optical and electron microscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction. The wall plates are made of calcite grains, which change in morphology from irregular to rhombohedral, except for the radii and alae, where fibrous calcite is produced. Both the grains and fibres arrange into bundles made of crystallographically co-oriented units, which grow onto each other epitaxially. We call these areas crystallographically coherent regions (CCRs). Each CCR elongates and disposes its c-axis perpendicularly or at a high angle to the growth surfaces, whereas the a-axes of adjacent CCRs differ in orientation. In the absence of obvious organic matrices, this pattern of organization is interpreted to be produced by purely crystallographic processes. In particular, due to crystal competition, CCRs orient their fastest growth axes perpendicular to the growth surface. Since each CCR is an aggregate of grains, the fastest growth axis is that along which crystals stack up more rapidly, that is, the crystallographic c-axis in granular calcite. In summary, the material forming the wall plates of the studied barnacles is under very little biological control and the main role of the mantle cells is to provide the construction materials to the growth front.

Rotational Desorption of Ice Mantles from Suprathermally Rotating Grains around Young Stellar Objects

Abstract Ice mantles on dust grains play a central role in astrochemistry. Water and complex organic molecules (COMs) are thought to first form on the ice mantles and subsequently are released into the gas phase due to star-formation activity. However, the critical question is whether ice mantles can survive stellar radiation when grains are being heated from to ≳100 K. In this paper, we first study the effect of suprathermal grain rotation driven by the intense radiation of young stellar objects on the ice mantles. We find that the entire ice mantles can be disrupted into small fragments by centrifugal stress before the water ice and COMs desorb via thermal sublimation. We then study the consequence of resulting ice fragments and find that tiny fragments of radius a ≲ 10 Å exhibit a transient release of COMs due to thermal spikes, whereas larger fragments can facilitate thermal sublimation at much higher rates than from the original icy grain, or the same rate but with temperatures of ∼20–40 K lower. We find that rotational desorption is efficient for hot cores/corinos from the inner to outer regions where the temperature drops to and . We discuss the implications of this mechanism for desorption of COMs and water ice in various environments, including outflow cavity walls, photodissociation regions, and protoplanetary disks. Finally, we show that very large aggregate grains can be disrupted into individual icy grains via a rotational disruption mechanism, followed by rotational desorption of ice mantles.

Investigation of grain sizes in cement-based materials and their influence on laser-induced plasmas by shadowgraphy and plasma imaging

The effect of particle grain sizes in different cement-based mixtures on the laser-induced plasma evolution is studied using two experimental methods: (i) temporal and spatial evolution of the laser-induced shock wave is investigated using shadowgraphy and two-dimensional plasma imaging, and (ii) temporal and spatial distribution of elements in the plasma is investigated using two-dimensional spectral imaging. This study is motivated by the interest in applying laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for chemical analysis of concrete, and subsequently obtain information related to damage assessment of structures like bridges and parking decks. The distribution of grain sizes is of major interest in civil engineering as for making concrete different aggregate grain sizes defined by a sieving curve (64 mm to 0.125 mm) are needed. Aggregates up to a size of 180 μm can be excluded from the data set, therefore only the amount of small aggregates with a grain size below 180 μm must be considered with LIBS. All components of the concrete with a grain size smaller than 0.125 mm are related to the flour grain content. Tested samples consisted of dry and hardened cement paste (water-cement ratio w/z = 0.5), which served as a reference. Aggregate mixtures were made by adding flour grains (size 40 μm) and silica fume (size 0.1 μm) in different ratios to cement: 10%, 30%, 50% and 60%, all combined to the remaining percentage of dry or hydrated cement. The visualization results show that a dependance in the evolution of the plasma as a function of sample grain size can be detected only in the initial stages of the plasma formation, that is, at the initial 3 μs of the plasma life. Spectral information reveals the elemental distribution of the silicon and calcium in plasma, in both neutral and ionized form. Here also, a significant effect is observed in the first 1 μs of the plasma lifetime.

Microstructure, crystallinity and composition of alkali-silica reaction products in concrete determined by transmission electron microscopy

Several aspects of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) are still poorly understood, for example the formation of ASR products occurring before significant aggregate cracking. This study focuses on the analysis of these products and the comparison with the products formed after crack formation. A novel approach for the characterisation of ASR products was used combining different electron microscopy techniques. This combination allows analysis of the ASR products present in small gaps and cracks with a width below 1 μm present between adjacent mineral grains of aggregates. In the three samples studied, the products in thin grain boundaries show no distinct morphology and they are amorphous. They were defined as untextured ASR products. The products present in larger veins form fibrils and platelets, called platey products, and are mainly crystalline. In spite of the differences in morphology, untextured and platey ASR products are of similar composition.

Neobvyklá žilná Cu-Zn-Ag-Pb-As-Sb-Se-Sn-Bi mineralizace z Jedové jámy u Vejprt v Krušných horách (Česká republika)

An extraordinary rich mineral assemblage consisting of 27 minerals has been newly discovered in quartz veins of the abandoned ore deposit, once exploited by the Drei König Mine, called also Giftschacht (Jedová jáma - Toxic shaft), situated approximately 2 km SE of Vejprty town. It includes 16 sulphides (plus one unnamed) with far prevailing arsenopyrite. In addition to common sulphides (chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and minerals of the tetrahedrite group), a wide suite of sulphosalts with substantial Bi-content was identified. Besides common bismuthinite and emplectite, also relatively rare Bi minerals (matildite, aikinite, hammarite, wittichenite), in the Czech Republic known from few localities only, have been found here. Bi is bound also in a rather exotic selenide bohdanowitzite and native bismuth. Bi is substantially present in some domains of tetrahedrites [tetrahedrite-(Zn), tennantite-(Zn) and tennantite-(Fe)]. In addition to local Bi enrichment, also Sn-minerals occur in the ore, represented by cassiterite and rare sulphides (kësterite and stannoidite). The presence of phosphates of the plumbogummite group [plumbogummite, goyazite and florencite-(Ce)] contributes to the remarkable mineral assemblage. From geochemical point of view, very interesting is the presence of florencite-(Ce), in which REE with dominating Ce are fixed. In addition, grains of fluorite, fluorapatite, rutile, topaz and aggregates of illite and a phase from kaolinite group are present. Supergene mineralization is represented besides limonite by abundant scorodite and rare strengite.

Influence of erbium doping on conduction behaviour of Y6-xSr4(SiO4)6F2 fluorapatite ceramic prepared by solution combustion method

This paper reports the electrical conduction mechanism of Y6-xSr4(SiO4)6F2:xEr3+ (x = 1,1.25, 1.5, 1.75 mol%) fluorapatite ceramic prepared by solution combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the formation of hexagonal structure with crystallite size in the nano meter range. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of prepared ceramic show elongated spheroid grains with higher grain connectivity. Frequency dependent dielectric studies in the frequency range from 10 Hz to 100 KHz were done. Dielectric constant of prepared ceramic with different doping concentration decreases with increase in frequency of applied a.c field. Dielectric loss follows the same trend along with dissipation of energy. Complex impedance spectroscopy is used as a tool to investigate the change in real part of impedance (Z′), imaginary part of impedance (Z″), and a.c conductivity (σ) with the applied frequencies. Drastic increase in impedance value is being governed by aggregations of grains which is confirmed by cole-cole plots showing dielectric response of prepared ceramics. A.C conductivity shows an enhancement towards upper range i.e. dispersive region with an increase in applied frequency by giving a view on the electrical conduction behaviour of the ceramic.

Application of Similarity Method of Distance Courses Describing the Elements Content in Typical Cement Concrete After Thermal Cycles

Abstract The work concerns the use of similarity analysis of distance course. Composition of concrete mixes was designed. The cement concrete composition includes cement, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, water and admixtures. The laboratory analyses included concretes curing in standard conditions and concretes subject to thermal cycles representing the destructive influence of imposed loading. Laboratory tests assumed the fifty thermal test cycles. A single test cycle included process of alternate heating and cooling. Recurrent influence of temperature stimulated the impact of aircraft on airfield pavements. The assumed heating and cooling time corresponded to the time during which the aircraft effected the most frequently used airfield pavement within the area of Poland. Comparative SEM observations of concretes subject to thermal cycles were conducted. An increase in the width of microcracs has been observed. In case of crystallization, there is diversification within the area of cement matrix, contact area between cement matrix and aggregate grains and in case of porosity characteristics of both concretes. Similarity indexes between input and target sequence were defined. Diagrams presenting the similarity of the analysed concretes were prepared (after 28 days of curing and after thermal cycles). It was proved that the suggested method could be used to define the similarity of concrete intended for airfield pavements.

Synthesis and characterization of a protective coating against corrosion based on scale and iron pigment

The objective of this work is to characterize two materials in order to synthesize anticorrosive coating. These materials are an oolitic iron oxide pigment containing phosphorus and scale witch is a by-product of steel making that should be recycled. The characterization of these two components took place in the URASM/CRTI-Annaba laboratories. Chemical analysis showed that the pigment contains 53.18% iron and a siliceous gangue. The scale contains 73.83% iron as iron oxides (FeO, Fe3O4 and Fe2O3).Grinding tests have shown that the scale is much more suitable for grinding than pigment. Particle size analysis gave a volume distribution of particles ranging in size from 0.7 to 32 microns for the scale and from 0.6 to 40 microns for the pigment; their specific surfaces are between 1.6 and 1.5 m2/g. TGA and DTA analyzes have shown that the pigment loses weight with phase dissolution by consuming energy as the temperature increases. Scale is gaining weight by forming a new phase with heat. At SEM, the iron pigment is in the form of an aggregate of grains surrounded by gangue. Scale showed a homogeneous structure composed of iron oxide grains of sizes and shapes ranging from 1 to 10 μm. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the iron contained in the pigment was in the form of hematite and goethite. A tiny portion is combined with silica as Fe2SiO4. Iron in Scale is in the form of three oxides (FeO, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4). Spectrophotometric tests showed that for both materials absorption is nil and reflection is maximal (100%) in the visible range. The different coating formulations used have shown that a mixture of 71.43% pigments and 28.57% scale has the best corrosion resistance, resulting in low current and low corrosion rate.

Use of Weight Maturity Method for Building Concretes Used in Artvin Yusufeli Dam Construction

The aim of this study is to compare the compressive strength determined by weight maturity method in dam concretes with compressive strength obtained from fresh concrete and core samples. Within the scope of the study, normal concretes of C25/30 strength class were produced. Samples were taken from ø15x30 cm cylinder molds from normal concrete mixtures having maximum aggregate grain diameter (Dmax) of 25 mm.In this study, the estimated compressive strengths were measured by using a maturity device and the compressive strengths obtained from samples taken from fresh concrete and core samples taken from hardened concrete were measured at close values. In this context, instead of taking samples from fresh concrete and concrete productions, it was concluded that the pressure resistance measurements made by using a maturity device in fresh concrete are reliable.

Behavior of Concrete Burned with High Temperature

This study aims to determine the compressive strength of concrete after a fire and to determine the properties and characteristics of concrete after the fire. This study used an experimental method using cube concrete specimens and concrete quality K 175, where each of the 5 samples was treated burned and not burned. Concrete was treated by curing for 28 days. The fuel test used an electric furnace with the combustion temperature used was 1000°C with a duration of 6 hours at the age of 35 days. Furthermore the test sample was cooled at room temperature for 24 hours. Changes that occurred in post-burn concrete include changes in the color of the concrete to gray-white, crazing, spalling, release of aggregate grains, occur shrinkage and increased porosity. The results of post-burn concrete press test also showed a decrease in compressive strength by 70%. The average percentage of post-burn shrinkage is 13.79%. The average value of post-burn porosity of concrete is 31.91%.

Application of Non-Extensive Statistical Physics on the particle size distribution in natural carbonate fault rocks

This contribution focuses on the results of combined generalized statistical mechanics and microstructural analyses of carbonate fault rock samples, which derive from active extensional fault zones cropping out in peninsular Italy. Specifically, this work is aimed at deciphering the role played by both pre-existing structural elements and structural diagenesis on the dimension and distribution of the largest survivor grains. The studied extensional fault zones were exhumed from shallow crustal depths during the Plio-Quaternary downfaulting of the Apennines. They crosscut Mesozoic platform limestones and dolostones. Despite the different host rocks, all carbonate fault rocks exhibit very similar cataclastic textures but dissimilar pore characteristics. In this work, we apply for the first time the principles of the Non-Extensive Statistical Physics to the study of fault rocks. By considering the Tsallis entropy, which is expressed by the Q-value representing the hierarchical organization of the system, we consider the crossover point value, V0, computed for both 1cm2 and 9cm2 representative fault rock images at the transition from Q-exponential to exponential behaviors. As a result, we document that the limestone grain-supported rocks, which mainly localize in the outer fault cores, are always characterized by smaller V0 values with respect to the dolostone ones. These data are interpreted as due to both burial and thrusting-related pressure solution seams, which pervasively formed in the limestone host rocks. Conversely, the amount of V0 variations computed from outer to inner fault cores are associated to the effects of widespread calcite cement precipitation, which mainly occurred in the limestone matrix-supported fault rocks. By considering the weighted, average areas of survivor grains with dimension larger than V0 a as a proxy for sorting, we document an increase from outer to inner fault cores in all the study fault zones. At a close view, all dolomite-rich fault rock samples show very similar median values, whereas the matrix-supported fault rock samples of the inner limestone fault cores are characterized by smaller median values relative to the grain-supported of the limestone outer fault cores. This discrepancy is interpreted as also due to widespread cementation processes, which formed aggregate grains in the fine-grained fault rocks encompassing the main slip surfaces of the limestone fault cores.