Petrographic Analysis of Engineering Geology

Trilab provides specialised petrographic analysis to support engineering geology applications across the quarrying, mineral exploration, and construction industries. Petrographic analysis uses polarising light microscopy to examine samples of rock, sand or concrete to determine their mineralogical and chemical composition and petrogenesis. Samples can be submitted to Trilab as lump samples, aggregates, rock samples and, drill chips or drill cores.

Comprehensive petrographic reports provide rock identification, description of textures, shapes and structures, quantitative mineralogical composition, and comments on suitability for proposed material uses.

Rock Core Sample Testing Australia Brisbane Perth

Engineering Applications

Trilab provides a range of petrographic analysis reports for engineering applications including:

  • Petrographic analysis on single rock type, mixed rock types, sand, gravel, aggregate and hardened concrete – samples can be submitted as products or as a source rock.

  • Petrographic analysis of sand for equivalent quartz content and free silica content and respirable crystalline silica.

  • Petrographic screening of samples for the presence of asbestos in accordance with AS4964.

  • Assessment of asbestos material by petrographic or SEM analysis.

  • Secondary mineral analysis in accordance with AS1141.26 using detailed point-counting methods.

  • Shape analysis (roundness and sphericity).
Petrographic Sample

Exploration Applications

For exploration applications, samples can be submitted to Trilab as hand specimen, rock samples, drill chips or drill cores.

  • Brief exploration petrographic report (identification and quantification of minerals).

  • Detailed exploration petrographic report (identification and quantification of minerals, rock identification, detailed description of textures and fabrics, interpretation of petrogenesis.

  • Frictional ignition testing of a sample using Ward’s classification diagram.

Petrographic testing can be performed in accordance with the following standards:

ASTM C295 | AS1141.26 | AS1141.65 | AS4964 | AS1726 | Q188 | ASTM C1721 | RMS T226 | ASTM D4992

For petrographic analysis of quarry applications refer to the Quarry Assessment page.