Classification of micro-geoparametric parting planes in granites

ABSTRACT

Research described in this paper has developed a classification scheme for the micro-geoparametric parting planes in granites and related rocks. These planes are identified as the planes of weakness along which the granites split or saw the easiest both in the field and at the stoneyard. Together with the analysis of field macro-structural characteristics of the rock mass, the microstruc-tural analysis of the oriented rock samples collected from quarries has led to the identification of two distinct types of parting planes. The first type is related to the preferential orientation of crystals which give rise to partition planes parallel with the crystal boundaries, cleavage or twinning planes. The second microstructure identified is related to the oriented microfissures that are generally attributed to the physical forces and are related to the orientation of in situ rock stresses.

KEYWORDS:

• Granites
• parting planes
• dimension stone quarrying