<p>Andesite is one of the most representative igneous rocks of the Ecuadorian Andes. Its high-strength characteristics and capacity to host metallic minerals establish a close relationship with construction, mining, and industrial applications. This study aims to determine the petrographic, physical, and mechanical properties of the variety of andesitic lithotypes that constitute the Andes Mountain range in Ecuador, which have not been sufficiently investigated. Petrographic analysis revealed that the lithotypes studied consist of rocks with massive structures and porphyritic textures. These are predominantly composed of phenocrysts of plagioclase, feldspar, pyroxene, olivine, hornblende, and quartz, embedded in a matrix exhibiting hyalopilitic, pilotaxitic, or microlithic textures (andesitic textures). Chemically, the analyzed lithotypes correspond to basaltic andesite, basaltic trachyandesite, andesite, trachyandesite–trachydacite, trachydacite, and dacite. All lithotypes exhibited high density, low porosity, and low water absorption capacity. Mechanically, they proved to be rocks of very high-to-extremely high competence, with uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) values ranging from 168.83 ± 30.93 to 361.79 ± 34.52 MPa. Stress–strain behavior revealed tangent strain moduli up to 87.07 ± 2.29 GPa. Mechanical tests, such as point load (PLT), Schmidt hammer rebound (SH), Leeb hardness (HL<sub>D</sub>), and indirect tensile strength (BTS), also categorized these lithotypes as high-strength rocks. Overall, the results obtained in this research contribute significantly to improve the understanding of the petrographic, physical, and mechanical properties of Ecuadorian andesitic lithotypes.</p>

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Country-wide geomechanical characterization of andesitic lithotypes of Ecuador

  • Á. E. Tamayo,
  • R. Tomás,
  • M. Cano

摘要

Andesite is one of the most representative igneous rocks of the Ecuadorian Andes. Its high-strength characteristics and capacity to host metallic minerals establish a close relationship with construction, mining, and industrial applications. This study aims to determine the petrographic, physical, and mechanical properties of the variety of andesitic lithotypes that constitute the Andes Mountain range in Ecuador, which have not been sufficiently investigated. Petrographic analysis revealed that the lithotypes studied consist of rocks with massive structures and porphyritic textures. These are predominantly composed of phenocrysts of plagioclase, feldspar, pyroxene, olivine, hornblende, and quartz, embedded in a matrix exhibiting hyalopilitic, pilotaxitic, or microlithic textures (andesitic textures). Chemically, the analyzed lithotypes correspond to basaltic andesite, basaltic trachyandesite, andesite, trachyandesite–trachydacite, trachydacite, and dacite. All lithotypes exhibited high density, low porosity, and low water absorption capacity. Mechanically, they proved to be rocks of very high-to-extremely high competence, with uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) values ranging from 168.83 ± 30.93 to 361.79 ± 34.52 MPa. Stress–strain behavior revealed tangent strain moduli up to 87.07 ± 2.29 GPa. Mechanical tests, such as point load (PLT), Schmidt hammer rebound (SH), Leeb hardness (HLD), and indirect tensile strength (BTS), also categorized these lithotypes as high-strength rocks. Overall, the results obtained in this research contribute significantly to improve the understanding of the petrographic, physical, and mechanical properties of Ecuadorian andesitic lithotypes.