Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Fracture analysis for optimization of dimension stone block extraction using numerical methods; case study from the Melika Marble quarry, Kerman province

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
Sina Alizadeh 1
Mohammad Reza Ghassemi 2
Mehran Arian 1
Ali Solgi 1
Zahra Maleki 1
1 Department of Earth Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
2 Research Institute for Earth Sciences, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, Iran
10.22071/gsj.2025.500409.2174
Abstract
Natural fractures and discontinuities such as joints, faults, and layering have a dual effect on the extraction of the dimension stones. On the one hand, these discontinuities can help to extract rock masses more easily, and on the other hand, they can reduce the dimensions of the extracted blocks and reduce the quality of the stone. As a result, a detailed study of the natural discontinuities in dimension stone mines from the perspective of geometry, spacing, surface characteristics, and so on can play a key role in planning and managing the extraction and proper exploitation of the mine. In this study, the development of joints and fractures in the rock mass and their geometric complexities in the Melika marble mining area located in the Kerman province have been investigated as a case study. After the field studies and structural geological evaluation of the mine area, the aforementioned features were used in the 3DEC software to prepare a three-dimensional model for optimal mining. In the process of optimizing the extraction, the maximum and most suitable number of extractable blocks was investigated directly through the aforementioned software model. Based on the results of this study, when mining from south to north and east to west, the highest and lowest yields of intact blocks may be expected, respectively. Our modeling also shows that with increasing depth, the recovery rate also reaches a maximum at depths of 22 to 25 meters. Our studies show that in addition to the geometry and arrangement of fracture spaces, the mine’s topographic slope should also be analyzed to optimize the mining direction.
Keywords
Fracture
Joint
Dimension stone quarry
Numerical modeling
3DEC software
Operation optimization
Kerman
Iran

Subjects

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Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences
Volume 35, Issue 3 - Serial Number 137
Autumn 2025, vol. 35, Issue 3, Serial no. 137
Summer 2025
Pages 63-78