The quantification of various textural parameters and petrophysical &
mechanical properties of quartzites located in the Lesser and Higher
Himalayas has been carried out. A dimensionless quantity 'Texture
Coefficient' representing rock texture incorporates various textural
parameters like grain shape, orientation, degree of grain interlocking and
relative proportion of grain and matrix (packing density) has been
measured, besides shape preferred orientation and grain suturing (fractal
dimension). These have been correlated with the seismic properties like P-
and S- wave velocities and attenuation characteristics and unconfined
compressive strength. It has been noted that seismic velocity in rocks is a
function of various textural parameters, like with the increase of aspect
ratio, grain size and shape preferred orientation, velocity increases and
with the increase of suturing (fractal dimension) the velocity decreases.
The Texture Coefficient is noted to be inversely proportion to the velocity
and there exits strong positive relationships (R=0.71) between Texture
Coefficient and the unconfined compressive strength. However the relation
between the velocity and the unconfined compressive strength is
meaningless.
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