Evaluation of the cutability of Sandstones based on rock texture characteristics and geomechanical parameters

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Natural Disasters Research Institute, Geological Hazards Group, Iran

2 Dept. of Applied Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Kharazmi University, Iran

3 Dept. of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/anm.2026.23606.1695

Abstract

Mechanized drilling methods are considered a suitable alternative to traditional drilling methods. On the other hand, the successful application of these technologies in mining and construction projects requires understanding the cuttability of the rock and matching the ground conditions with the machine design. In mechanical drilling, the cuttability of the rock refers to the ease or difficulty of breaking (cutting) the rock by the cutting tool, which is expressed by Specific Energy and cutting forces and is a function of the geomechanical properties and texture of the rock. In this study, using laboratory data obtained from the physical, mechanical, and textural properties and cutting force of intact rock samples from various formations (Upper Qormez, Lalun, Gurpi, and Hezardareh) in different parts of the country (Tehran, Qom, and Khuzestan), an attempt has been made to accurately evaluate the cuttability of rocks with the help of these parameters based on statistical methods. In addition to the common mechanical properties, the textural properties of the samples were determined by preparing and studying thin sections of the rock samples and quantifying their parameters. Specific energy is known to be the most important index of rock cutability, which was determined by a small-scale linear rock shear test. In this study, the correlation of the cutability index with other geomechanical and textural parameters was evaluated using linear and multivariate regression analysis. The analyses indicate a diverse range of relationships between geomechanical and textural parameters and cutability in the sandstones and argillaceous rocks studied. These relationships include direct correlations, indirect correlations, and, in some cases, no statistically significant relationship between these parameters. Accordingly, in order to evaluate more quickly and accurately, the cutability index of intact rock was modified using effective textural and geomechanical parameters.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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  • Receive Date: 02 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 16 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 13 January 2026

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