ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MINERALOGICAL COMPOSITION ON FRAGMENTATION OF SELECTED GRANITIC ROCKS

Authors

  • P. A. Adesida

    Engenharia Mecânica, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Ilha Solteira, BrazilDepartment of Mining Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

  • W. A. Salawudeen

    Department of Electrical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51459/futajeet.2026.20.1.532
Keywords:
biotite, powder factor, quartz, rock fragmentation, uniaxial compressive strength, Young’s modulus
Abstract

In this study, a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control system was designed and implemented on a DC This study analysed the effect of geo-mechanical properties, modal composition of minerals, and powder factor on fragment size distribution (X80) in granitic rocks to optimise blasting operations. Using a data set that included UCS, Young's modulus (E), Poisson’s ratio (V), Quartz (Qz), K-Feldspar (K-F), Plagioclase (Pc), Mica (M), and powder factor (PF), a Random Forest model was applied to model non-linearities and predict X80. The sensitivity analysis and regression techniques were applied to evaluate the significance of each parameter. Results indicate that primary predictors were PF and Qz, with PF having a significantly negative association with X80. Mica and plagioclase were more dependent on fragmentation, with sensitivity scores of 0.2808 and 0.1797, respectively, for mineralogical characteristics. The Random Forest model had R2 and RMSE values of 0.8753 and 3.46, respectively. However, E and V geo-mechanical properties exerted minimal effects on X80. Despite the model being relatively strong, the small sample size and multicollinearity among features in the study posed challenges. This study highlights the importance of both operational and compositional factors while predicting and optimising the rock fragmentation process.  Future studies should expand the dataset, explore advanced machine learning techniques, and validate findings across diverse geological settings to enhance reliability and applicability.

References

Adesida, P. A. (2022) Powder factor prediction in blasting operation using rock geo-mechanical properties and geometric parameters. International Journal of Mining and Geo-Engineering, Vol. 56 pp 25-32.

Adesida, P. A., Akinbinu, V. A. and Adebayo, B. (2025) A rock engineering system model for predicting fragment size of muck-pile using geometric parameters and rock mass properties. Journal of Sustainable Mining, Vol. 24 pp 594-610

Adesida, P.A. (2023) A Rock Engineering System Approach to Estimation of Blast Induced Peak Particle Velocity. International Journal of Mining and Geo-Engineering, ¬Vol. 57 pp 101-109.

Akinbinu, V., Oniyide, G. and Adesida, P. (2018) Strength and strain quantities under brittle compression process of hard rocks. Mining of Mineral Deposits., Vol. 12 pp 61-75.

Aladejana, J. A. and Talabi, A. O. (2013) Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Abeokuta Southwestern, Nigeria. International Journal of Engineering Science, Vol. 2 pp 21- 31.

Alipour, A., Mokhtarian, M. and Chehreghani, S. (2018) An Application of Fuzzy Sets to the Blastability Index (BI) Used in Rock Engineering. Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering, Vol. 62 pp 580–589.

Anas, S. M., Alam, M. and Umair, M. (2021) Air-blast and ground shockwave parameters, shallow underground blasting, on the ground and buried shallow underground blast-resistant shelters: A review. International Journal of Protective Structures. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/20414196211048910 (Accessed: 21 May 2025)

Chouhan, L. S., Raina, A. K., Murthy, V. M., Sabri, M. M., Mohamad, E. T. and Bhatawdekar, R. M. (2021) Advanced Analysis of Collision-Induced Blast Fragmentation in V-Type Firing Pattern. Sustainability, Vol. 14 15703.

Eludoyin, A. O., Olusola, A., Fashae, A. O., Jeje, L. K. and Faniran, A. (2023) Geology and Landscapes of the Southwestern Nigeria. In: Faniran, A., Jeje, L.k., Fashae, O.A., Olusola, A.O. (eds) Landscapes and Landforms of Nigeria. World Geomorphological Landscapes, Springer, Cham.

Guo, T. Y. and Wong, L. N. Y. (2021) Cracking mechanisms of a medium-grained granite under mixed-mode I-II loading illuminated by acoustic emission. International. Journal Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 145 104852.

ISRM (1989) Rock Characterization Testing and Monitoring. International Society of Rock Mechanics Commission (ISRM), Ed, E. T. Brown, Pergamon Press, 1989, pp 83 – 88.

Kozan, E. and Liu, S. Q. (2017) An Operational-level Multi-stage Pine production Timetabling Model for optimally synchronizing drilling, blasting and excavation operations. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, Vo. 31 pp 457-474.

Kuzu, C. and Guclu, E. (2008) The problem of human response to blast induced vibrations in tunnel construction and mitigation of vibration effects using cautious blasting in half-face blasting rounds. Tunnel & Underground Space Technology, Vol. 24 pp 53-61.

Lawal, A. I. and Idris, M. A. (2019) An artificial neural network-based mathematical model for the prediction of blast-induced ground vibrations. International Journal of Environmental. Studies, pp 1-17.

Liu, J-F., Luo, X., Feng, G., Zhou, L-L., Yang, X-G. and Lu, G-A. (2023) Creep characteristics of thermally-stressed Beishan granite under triaxial compression, International. Journal Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 162 105302.

Mishra, P. C., Panigrahi, R. R. and Shrivastava, A. K. (2023) Geo-environmental factors’ influence on mining operation: an indirect effect of managerial factors. Environ. Dev. Sustain. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03211-2 (Accessed: 21 May 2025)

Mohamed, F., Hafsaoui, A., Talhi, K. and Menacer, K. (2015) Study of the Powder Factor in Surface Bench Blasting. World Multidisciplinary Earth Sciences Symposium, Procedia Earth and Planetary Science, Vol. 15 pp 892 - 899.

Okunlola, O., Ajibola, O. and Olusegun, O. (2022) Rare Earth Element Geochemistry and Abundances in Syenites and Charnockitic Rocks of Selected Locations within Southwestern Nigeria. Materials and Geoenvironmental, Vol. 69 pp 1-10.

Prasad, S., Choudhary, SB. S. and Mishra, A. K. (2017) Effect of Stemming to Burden Ratio and Powder Factor on Blast Induced Rock Fragmentation - A Case Study. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 225 012191.

Salmi, E. F., and Sellers, E. J. (2021) A review of the methods to incorporate the geological and geotechnical characteristics of rock masses in blastability assessments for selective blast design. Engineering Geology, Vol. 281 105970.

Shehu, S. A., Yusuf, K. O. and Hashim, H. M. H (2020) Comparative Study of WipFrag Image Analysis and Kuz-Ram empirical Model in

Granite Aggregate Quarry and their Application for Blast Fragmentation Rating. Geomechanics and Geoengineering, pp 1 - 9.

Singh, P., Roy, M., Paswan, R., Sarim, M., Kumar, S. and Ranjan Jha, R. (2016) Rock fragmentation control in opencast blasting. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 8, pp 225-237.

Ulusay, R. and Hudson, J. (2007) The Complete ISRM 583 Suggested Methods for Rock Characterization, Testing and Monitoring [1974–2006]. International Society of Rock Mechanics.

Wu, Z., Li, M., Xie, H., Lu, J. and Chen, C. (2023) Investigation on physico-mechanical properties and microstructural evolution patterns of heated granite after liquid nitrogen cooling. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources, Vol. 9 pp1-23.

Zhang, Z. X., Sanchidrián, J. A., Ouchterlony, F. and Luukkanen, S. (2023) Reduction of Fragment Size from Mining to Mineral Processing: A Review. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Vol., 56 pp 747-778.

Zhao, Z., Xu, H., Wang, J., Zhao, X., Cai, M. and Yang, Q. (2020) Auxetic behavior of Beishan granite after thermal treatment: A microcracking perspective. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, Vol. 231 107017

Downloads
Published
2026-03-31
Issue
Vol. 20 No. 1 (2026): FUTA Journal of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Section
Articles
License

Copyright (c) 2026 FUTA JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Copyright

With the submission of a manuscript, the corresponding author confirms that the manuscript is not under consideration by another journal. With the acceptance of a manuscript, the Journal reserves the exclusive right of publication and dissemination of the information contained in the article. The veracity of the paper and all the claims therein is solely the opinion of the authors not the journal.

How to Cite

ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MINERALOGICAL COMPOSITION ON FRAGMENTATION OF SELECTED GRANITIC ROCKS. (2026). FUTA JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY, 20(1), 29-41. https://doi.org/10.51459/futajeet.2026.20.1.532

Similar Articles

61-70 of 74

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.