A new method of block shape classification

• Published in: Science China Technological Sciences Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 110 - 115
• Main Authors: Feng, XingLong, Li, De, Wang, LiGuan, Jing, YongBin, Xun, XueMei, Zeng, QingTian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg SP Science China Press 2011
• Subjects: Engineering; 三角图; 体积参数; 几何特征; 分类法; 岩石破碎; 形状分类; 统计分析; block shape; volume coefficient; co-linearity
• ISSN: 1674-7321; 1869-1900; 1862-281X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11431-010-4221-z

The shapes of block within the rock mass have an important effect on the rock properties, so it＇s very important to evaluate the shapes of rock fragmentation and to determine the geometric characteristics distribution of the block. The previous methods to classify rock block shape are based on the assumption that a block shape is approximately orthogonal, which is acceptable in only a few rock masses. This paper proposes a new method for block shape classification using triangular diagram together with parameters of co-linearity e and volume coefficient K, which combines the shape categorization with block volume for statistical analysis. Rock block equivalent size calculation methods based on block shape is proposed and the block cumulative percentage of total volume statistical analysis is given. In order to verify this block shape classification method, three ideal rock masses with approximately orthogonal joint sets have been generated and simulated.