Investigation of the effect of physico-mechanical and mineralogical properties on the blastability of granitic rocks

In this study, physical (density, unit weight, apparent porosity, water absorption by weight) and mechanical (uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), triaxial compressive strength (TCS), indirect tensile strength (ITS) and ultrasonic pulse velocity (Vp)) tests of core samples prepared from five different granite rocks (İkizdere Mavi and Sarı, Hayrat Sarı and Gri and Harşit) were performed, the mineralogical contents of rocks were analyzed and the effect of physico-mechanical and mineralogical properties on the blastability of rocks was investigated. These parameters and mineralogical properties were also interpreted by statistical analyses. When the effect of mineral contents of rocks was evaluated, UCS and Vp have a positively strong relation (PSR) with plagioclase (P) while, there is a negatively strong relation (NSR) between quartz (Q) and those parameters, ITS, and  have a PSR with P, whilst, there is a NSR between alkali feldispar (AF)-ITS and AF-. Moreover, c has a PSR with mafic mineral (MM) and has a NSR with Q. The apparent porosity, which is a physical property, has a PSR with AF and Q, while, there is a similar relation between density and MM. The density also contacts a NSR with P. As a result of the regression analyses realized using different parameters examined, the equations having considerably strong relations (R2>0.700) were obtained. These equations were analyzed with reference of five different blastability indexes and the results of goodness of fit demonstrated that the models are substantially successful. As a result of, the mineralogical compositions of the rocks have a significant effect on the blastability parameters and when the minerals are taken into consideration, lower specific charge values are reached.