Pressure stimulated currents in rocks and their correlation with mechanical properties

The spontaneous electrification of marble samples was studied while they were subjected to uniaxial stress. The Pressure Stimulated Current (PSC) technique was applied to measure the charge released from compressed Dionysos marble samples, while they were subjected to cyclic loading. The experimental results demonstrate that, in the linear elastic region of the sample, no PSC is recorded, while beyond the stress limit (s>0.60), observable variations appear, which increase considerably in the vicinity of sample failure, reaching a maximum value just before the failure. The emitted current is reduced on each loading cycle and it has a reciprocal dependence to the normalized Young modulus. The MCD model, applied out of the vicinity of sample failure explains successfully the above findings. The existence of a "memory-like" behavior of the sample, could justify the weakness or absence of electrical earthquake precursors, during an aftershock sequence

Using acoustic emissions to enhance fracture toughness calculations for CCNBD marble specimens

Rock fracture mechanics has been widely applied to blasting, hydraulic fracturing, mechanical fragmentation, rock slope analysis, geophysics, earthquake mechanics and many other science and technology fields. Development of failure in brittle materials is associated with microcracks, which release energy in the form of elastic waves called acoustic emissions. In the present study, acoustic emission (AE) measurements were carried out during cracked chevron notched Brazilian disc (CCNBD) tests on Nestos marble specimens. The fracture toughness of different modes of loading (mode-I and –II) is calculated and the results are discussed in conjunction with the AE parameters

A new hybrid decision support tool for evaluating the sustainability of mining projects

The integration of sustainable development challenges and opportunities into the decision making process during the design and/or implementation of multi-disciplinary mining projects is generally not supported by decision support systems (DSS). A new hybrid decision support tool, which features an integrated assessment of sustainable development issues as they apply to mining projects, is hereby proposed. The proposed DSS framework, named “Acropolis DSS”, can be used to assist involved stakeholders in critical decisions, especially when addressing issues such as stakeholder participation, transparency, and trade-offs. The proposed DSS is based on a multi-criteria decision analysis combined with the multi-attribute utility theory. Keywords: Sustainable development, Multi-criteria decision analysis, Indicators, Stakeholders, Rare earth element

Experiences and Recommendations from the SARMa Project

In the framework of an EU co-funded project titled “Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management” (SARMa) the following two objectives were pursued: (i) To develop a common approach to Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management (SARM) across SEE, namely to move towards efficient and low socio-environmental impact Quarrying considering also waste management, and (ii) To ensure a Sustainable Supply Mix (SSM) policy in SEE, that is to use multiple sources, including recycled wastes and industrial by-products (slag) that together maximize net benefits of aggregate supply across generations. This paper presents an overview of the experiences gained and the recommendations developed

Experiences and Recommendations from the SARMa Project

In the framework of an EU co-funded project titled "Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management" (SARMa) the following two objectives were pursued: (i) To develop a common approach to Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management (SARM) across SEE, namely to move towards efficient and low socio-environmental impact Quarrying considering also waste management, and (ii) To ensure a Sustainable Supply Mix (SSM) policy in SEE, that is to use multiple sources, including recycled wastes and industrial by-products (slag) that together maximize net benefits of aggregate supply across generations. This paper presents an overview of the experiences gained and the recommendations develope