Effects of interparticle and intraparticle material on the geomechanical properties of limestone

Interparticle and intraparticle material within limestone is that material deposited between skeletal (and other) grains and within the cavaties of skeletal grains, respectively. Combinations of the distribution and quantity of these carbonate materials, and whether they are sparite cement (>0.02mm) or fine micrite matrix, form important controls on the gemechanical behaviour of limestone.

Interparticle material is correlated with durability/abrasion and dissolution rate paramters. Geomechanically, these involve surficial processes, suggesting that surface degradation is influenced most significantly by the material deposited between grains in limestone. Micrite (muddy) materials are more durable than sparite materials, and intersparite is also responsible for higher rates of dissolution.

Intraparticle material is correlated especially with sonic velocity and various strength properties. These areas of geomechanics are concerned primarily with the body of the rock, suggesting that internal breakdown of limestone under stress is controlled particularly by the amount and type of material infilling pore spaces in skeletal grains. An increase in intraparticle material improves the geomechanical performance of limestone. Intramicrite appears to be particularly conducive to higher limestone strengths.