Relations between Texture Coefficient and Energy Consumption of Gang Saws in Carbonate Rock Cutting Process

Texture coefficient is one of the most influential parameters in rock engineering specifications in various projects includingdrilling, cutting, permeability of all-section drilling devices, etc. Meanwhile, investigating and forecasting the energyconsumption of saw cutters are one of the most important factors in estimating the cutting costs. The present study aims toinvestigate the relationship between rock texture characteristics and the amount of energy consumption of the gang sawmachine in the process of cutting carbonate rocks. To evaluate the effects of texture on the rocks engineering specifications, 14carbonate rock samples were studied. A microscopic thin section was made from each rock specimen. Then, five digital imageswere taken from each section under a microscope and the values of area, environment, the largest diameter and the smallestdiameter of all grains in each image were determined. Using these specifications, the coefficient of texture of all rock sampleswas calculated and the relationship between the texture coefficient and the rate of energy consumption of the gang saw machinewas investigated for the studied samples. The study results indicated that there was a significant relation between the texturecoefficient and energy consumption rate in the three groups of carbonate rocks.

کلیدواژه ها:

Energy Consumption ، Gang Saw Machine ، Texture Coefficient ، Rock Engineering Specifications