Open AccessENGINEERING GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION OF BLOCK-IN-MATRIX ROCKS
Author(s) -
G. Nikolaidis,
Charalampos Saroglou
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
deltio tīs ellīnikīs geōlogikīs etaireias/deltio tīs ellīnikīs geōlogikīs etaireias
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2529-1718
pISSN - 0438-9557
DOI - 10.12681/bgsg.11793
Subject(s) - block (permutation group theory) , matrix (chemical analysis) , sampling (signal processing) , geology , complex matrix , geotechnical engineering , computer science , engineering , civil engineering , mining engineering , mathematics , materials science , geometry , chemistry , telecommunications , chromatography , composite material , detector
Block-in-matrix rocks (“bimrocks”) are complex, mixed and heterogeneous formations of competent blocks embedded in weaker matrix. The inherent difficulty of sampling and consequently, laboratory testing of bimrocks leads to considerable challenging in geotechnical design and assessment of their engineering behaviour. An approach for the characterisation of “bimrocks” is the use of stereological analysis that extrapolates one-dimensional or two dimensional data to estimate the block volumetric proportion. This has been an established approach of dealing with bimrocks and melanges for the last two decades. This paper presents the parameters that are considered important for the engineering characterisation of such complex formations, while a case study from a bimrock in NW Greece is discussed.