Advanced Applied Geology

Advanced Applied Geology

Effect of textural characteristics on the mechanical and physical properties of some sedimentary rocks

Authors
پوریا حیدریان 1
mohamad reza Assef 2
jafar Khademi Hamidi 3
1 Geological Hazards Department, Natural Disaster Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Applied Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
10.22055/aag.2026.51368.2552
Abstract
In rock engineering projects, the determination of mechanical properties is essential for assessing rock mass behavior. Rock texture has a pronounced influence on the mechanical behavior of rocks, including their cuttability, drillability, and machinability. In rock engineering applications, the selection and optimal performance of drilling equipment depend on the quality and quantity of available textural and mechanical data. Previous studies have shown that rock mass strength is governed by the properties of the intact rock and the discontinuities within it, while the strength characteristics of intact rock are themselves controlled by mineralogical composition and rock texture. Accordingly, evaluating the interaction among textural, petrophysical, and mechanical parameters remains a key consideration in assessing the short- and long-term behavior of rock structures. In this study, the relationships among physical properties, textural characteristics, and uniaxial compressive and tensile strengths were investigated for 18 sedimentary rock samples collected from various locations across the country. Physical properties, uniaxial compressive strength, and Brazilian tensile strength were determined through laboratory testing, while textural characteristics were quantified via thin-section analysis. Linear and multivariate regression analyses were then employed to establish relationships between the physical and mechanical properties and the textural characteristics of the samples. The results reveal that rock texture exerts distinct effects on the mechanical and physical properties of rocks, with textural parameters influencing each physical and strength property differently and ultimately governing the overall mechanical behavior of the rock samples.
Keywords
Sedimentary rock
Uniaxial compressive strength
Brazilian tensile strength
Texture coefficient
Multivariate regression
Subjects
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Advanced Applied Geology
Volume 16, Issue 2
Summer 2026
Pages 214-233