Dear Mr. Thomabre,

studying the rock structure is especially important for anisotropic rocks like mudstone, siltstone, schist, sandstones, gneisses and so on. Because of their anisotropic nature they possess different properties in different directions. E.g. the shear resistence of a mudrock is higher in normal direction relative to the bedding than parallel to it.

Rock patterns can also be important for magmatic and metamorphic rocks. In Eastern Germany (Lausitz region) there are metamorphic overprinted greywackes. Without metamorphic overprint greywackes are anisotropic materials. Due to a contact metamorphic overprint clay minerals grew in random orientation and raised the rock strength in all directions in a way that the greywackes possess now a more isotropic nature.

There is also a plenty of scientific literature available about this topic.

Regards

Here are some papers:

Minardi, A. et al. (2016): Anisotropic volumetric behaviour of Opalinus clay shale upon suction variation. In: Géotechnique Letters, 6/2, S. 1-5.

Yang, D. et al. (2013): Study of the Anisotropic Properties of Argillite Under Moisture and Mechanical Loads. In: Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 46/2, S. 247-257.

Gao, Q. et al. (2015): Laboratory study on the mechanical behaviors of an anisotropic shale rock. In: Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 7/2, S. 213-219

Plinninger, R. J., Alber, M. (2015): Assessment of intact rock strength in anisotropic rock - Theory, experiences and implications on site investigation. In: International Society for Rock Mechanics (Hrsg.): Future development of rock mechanics: Proceedings of the ISRM Regional Symposium EUROCK 2015 & 64th Geomechanics Colloquium.

Dear Günther

Thank you. I will refer those paper for my study.

Yes, It has an essential role. For example, the angle of discontinuity in rock can be increase or decrease the UCS and elastic modulus.