Determining the optimum cutting direction in granite quarries through experimental studies: a case study of a granite quarry

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment volume 78, pages459–467(2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Optimization of cutting operations in quarrying and processing of building stones leads to certain reductions in operational costs. Despite the developments of cutting technology and employment of more efficient cutting machines, there is still a need to optimize a series of operational parameters; the cutting direction is one of them. In order to optimize the cutting direction parameter in cutting processes, an experimental study was designed in a granite quarry. For this purpose, 12 granite samples along 12 different directions with 15° intervals were cut by a special laboratory wire cutting machine. The obtained cutting rate showed that different cutting directions demonstrate very diverse cutting rates. A significant difference of 43% was found between the highest and lowest cutting rates. Also, the optimal cutting direction was found to be 185° relative to the geographical north. Furthermore, microscopic studies on petrographic thin sections were performed to analyze the cutting rate results. Analysis showed that the rock’s equivalent hardness was not correlated to the cutting rate, while there is a possible direct relationship between the quartz content and the cutting rate. Besides, results confirmed the currently identified splitting planes of the quarry and showed a potential relationship with the main fault system of the area.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 8415683111, Iran

    Reza Yarahmadi, Raheb Bagherpour, Amir Khademian, Seied Najmedin Almasi & Mahin Mansouri Esfahani

  2. Department of Geology, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Apartado 1013, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal

    Luis M.O. Sousa

Authors
  1. Reza Yarahmadi
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  2. Raheb Bagherpour
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  4. Luis M.O. Sousa
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  5. Seied Najmedin Almasi
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  6. Mahin Mansouri Esfahani
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Correspondence to Reza Yarahmadi.

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Yarahmadi, R., Bagherpour, R., Khademian, A. et al. Determining the optimum cutting direction in granite quarries through experimental studies: a case study of a granite quarry. Bull Eng Geol Environ 78, 459–467 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1158-5

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Keywords

  • Rock heterogeneity
  • Cutting rate
  • Granite
  • Building stones
  • Quarry