Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Abstract:
Almost all granite outcrops have natural fractures which influence their response to mechanical failure. This paper focuses on the use of AutoCAD computer software model in characterizing the fractures of a granite outcrop at Johnson Constructions quarry, Akure, Ondo State. The fractures were mapped. The results were used to determine the in situ block-size distribution of the outcrop. They indicated irregular block size distributions which were set with average surface area of in - situ blocks sizes ranges of 0.01-1.50m2, 1.51-4.00m2, 4.01-8.00m2, 8.01-12.00m2, 12.01-16.00m2, 16.01-24.00m2 and 24.01-32.00m2respectively. It was recommended that the region with average surface area of in - situ block of range 0.01-1.50m2 should be charged with 50% of the current high charge in use, for range of 1.5-4.00m2, 60%, for range of 4.01-8.00, 80% and 100% for ranges above 8.00m2

Keywords: rock mass; fracture characterization; scanline mapping; AutoCAD model

Download full paper