Geomaterials Evaluation: A New Application of Ashby Plots

The development of fossil energy resources and the occurrence of geological hazards call for a quick and effective identification of geological situations. In this study, we present rapid evaluations of geological structures from the pure point of view of material properties. For the first time, Ashby plots are applied to the evaluation of geomaterials such as rocks and coals. A series of case studies are presented and related Ashby plots are drawn. The stability of rocks facing natural hazards is analyzed and compared; the stability of coals formed in different periods in China is studied; and a new brittleness index for reservoir rocks is proposed. The Ashby plots show a strong vitality and a wide application prospect in geomaterial evaluation and geological engineering.