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The geometry of rock blocks, including shape and size, is a crucial factor affecting the quarry's profitability. The block's dimension is limited by the fracture network properties, especially discontinuity's orientation, and spacing. Volumetric joint count (Jv), and weighted joint density (WJd) are two well-known indexes to determine the average block's volume. In this investigation the discontinuity properties of eight quarries are determined through the line and aerial mapping surveys. The investigation was performed along 2258 m scanline in 63 slope benches. Different indexes were used to compare the obtainable rock block's geometry. An empirical index was proposed considering different aspects of discontinuity network to increase the accuracy of measurements. The index was introduced based on the number of joints in each joint set, average spacing of joints in each joint set, and the total number of joints recorded during the investigation. The joint mean spacing index allows us to estimate the average volume of blocks and evaluate the quarry's profitability. By increasing the ratio of the joint mean spacing index, the obtainable rock block's volume and mine profitability increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement kiln dust (CKD) is a significant fine powdery material generated from the Portland cement manufacturing process. The United States environmental protection agency (EPA) declared that using CKD is not harmful to humans' health and the environment. The primary usage of CKD is recycled back into the cement kiln as raw feed. CKD has various applications such as water treatment, waste disposal, agriculture, construction, soil stabilization, and erosion control of the natural or human-made slopes. An experimental study of CKD's effect on engineering properties was done on a natural slope in New Mexico, USA, in 2008. Consequently, Atterberg limits, compaction characteristics, unconfined compressive strength, and pH were determined for the native soil and the treated soil with CKD. Based on the result, it was observed that CKD was one of the cost-effective methods of erosion control of slopes. However, CKD's time and environmental effects are important factors that should be addressed carefully. This study mainly focuses on the influence of time on erosion control of the slope stabilized by CKD after eleven years. Long-term monitoring of the slope showed that CKD is still reducing soil erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]