Integrated Photogrammetric, Petrographic, and Mechanical Assessment of Plutonic Rocks as Dimension Stone Resources
摘要
The growing interest in diversifying the productive matrix of northern Chile has highlighted the need for systematic methodologies to evaluate dimension stone resources. In this context, this study proposes an integrated workflow that combines unmanned aerial vehicle-based photogrammetry, structural analysis, petrographic characterization, and mechanical assessment to evaluate the suitability of granitoid rocks for dimension stone applications. High-resolution three-dimensional models were generated using Structure from motion techniques, enabling the semi-automatic extraction and characterization of discontinuity sets. Structural conditions were quantified through volumetric joint count and Rock Quality Designation, while mineralogical degradation was assessed through petrographic analysis. Mechanical behavior was estimated using Schmidt hammer-derived uniaxial compressive strength. This multiscale approach allows the integration of structural, mineralogical, and mechanical parameters within a single analytical framework. The methodology was applied to granodioritic outcrops of the Cabeza de Vaca Pluton in the Atacama Region as a case study to demonstrate its applicability. Although the studied sectors exhibit high intact strength, the results highlight that fracture density and connectivity primarily control the potential for dimension stone extraction, thereby limiting the recovery of commercially viable blocks. Overall, the proposed workflow provides a rapid, non-invasive, and cost-effective approach for the preliminary assessment of dimension stone resources. Its scalability and replicability make it particularly suitable for reconnaissance-scale studies and regional inventories, providing a robust methodological framework applicable to similar geological settings.