This study examines the relationships between the mineralogical, petrographic, and chemical composition of carbonate rocks, and their mechanical properties, using advanced hyperspectral imaging technologies. Limestone, dolomite, and chalk are crucial resources in Israel’s construction and paving industries. Increasing demand and limited resources, necessitate efficient and precise management. Traditional rock quality assessments, rely on costly and time-consuming laboratory tests, whereas advancements in remote sensing offer a rapid spectral-based alternative. This study aims to develop a predictive model that correlates spectral signatures with mechanical properties, providing a practical tool for civil engineering applications. The innovation of this study is in integrating mineralogical and geochemical analyses with advanced spectroscopic methods, to enable reliable prediction of critical mechanical properties such as strength, density, and porosity.
The research includes rock samples from 150 diverse Israeli rock outcrops, and include all three main lithologies: dolomite, limestone and chalk. We used X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine the mineral composition, particularly calcite, dolomite, and clays, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to analyze elemental to measure chemical composition. Petrographic analysis of this sections is used to examine grain morphology, size distribution, and textural relationships, which are necessary for understanding rock stability and mechanical performance.
Additionally, hyperspectral imaging in visible, near infrared (NIR), and short-wave infrared (SWIR) ranges is performed to extract unique spectral signatures, which are analyzed statistically against mineralogical and mechanical properties. Data processing employs multivariate regression and correlation analyses, to construct empirical models predicting rock behavior based on spectral data.
Preliminary results indicate a partial correlation between XRD and spectral analyses, confirming the identification of some minerals such as calcite and dolomite, in both methods. However, other minerals, particularly clays, are identifies spectrally but not consistently verifiable via XRD. This research is expected to advance rapid, non-destructive rock assessment, improve decision-making in mining and construction, and contribute to sustainable resource management.