ABSTRACT
Quantitative-fractoraphy concerns the methods which enable the determination of the tensile failure-stress on fracture surfaces of engineering materials. The mirror radius on the fracture surface, which is a key parameter for calculation and other important morphological parameters are briefly discussed. Fractographic methods are applied to geological exposures of considerably larger dimensions, with the objective of estimating fracture paleostresses. The fracture mechanics formulae which are applied to joints cutting granitic rocks and sandstone, and some estimated paleostress results are presented. The assessment of the results, further tectonophysical implications, and the merits of quantitative tectonofractography are considered. Finally, some future challenges are outlined.
