Results of Linear Cutting Tests on Different Alpine Lithologies

For this thesis linear cutting tests were carried out to analyze what influence rock type, foliation direction, penetration and spacing has on the cutting forces, grain sizes, aspect ratio and specific energy. Rock cubes were cut from the rock types calcareous mica schist, augen gneiss and schistose gneiss with multiple foliation directions and were cast in concrete. The foliation directions of calcareous mica schist are perpendicular, parallel, oblique and massive. Those of augen gneiss are perpendicular, parallel and oblique and that of schistose gneiss is oblique. Four different spacing-penetration combinations were used to cut the rock cubes on the Linear Cutting Machine. The cutting forces were measured during the tests and samples of the excavated material were taken to analyze for grain sizes and aspect ratios. The trends of the forces, the grain sizes, the aspect ratios and the specific energy based on the testing parameters are explained and interpreted. It can be determined that the rock type has an influence on the normal forces, the grading curves and the aspect ratios. The foliation direction has influence on the normal forces, the specific energy and the aspect ratios. Furthermore it can be confirmed that the spacing has an effect on the grading curves and the aspect ratios. The penetration only has an influence on the normal forces.