Experimental studies on the effects of fracture on the P and S wave velocity propagation in sedimentary rock (“Calcarenite del Salento”)

Experimental studies were carried out in laboratory in order to investigate the effects of fracture on compressional (P) wave and shear (S) wave velocity propagation and therefore the relations between seismic properties and rock mass parameters. The discontinuity index, I_d, fracture density parameter C, linear fracture parameter Γ and the rock quality designation (RQD) were used to describe the rock mass parameters. These parameters are analyzed and then related to the seismic properties. Four vertical aligned fractures were created on an intact calcarenite block, 0.6 m long, 0.4 m thick and 0.4 m width, by sawing. The measures were carried out in four different blocks of cacarenite, having the same physical properties, and in four different phases: in first block the fractures were filled with air; in the second block the fractures were filled with “terra rossa”; in third block the fractures were filled with wet “terra rossa” and in the fourth block the fractures were filled with clay. The test results were statistically analysed using the method of least squares regression and polynomial relationships with high correlation coefficient were found between the fractured rock parameters and P-wave, S-wave velocities and V_p/V_s ratio. The investigations suggest that the P-wave and S-wave velocities decrease with increasing the fracture parameters, while the V_p/V_s ratio increases with decreasing the fracture parameters.

Furthermore the results of the experimental studies were applied on the seismic refraction tomography data acquired in a great measurements campaign undertaken in the Adriatic salentina coast (south Italy) in order to monitor the coastal erosion.

The geophysical results, using the polynomial relationships between the fractured rock parameters and P-wave velocity, are in good agreement with the geomorphological and geological results.     

Experimental and Statistical Evaluation of Cutting Methods in Relation to Specific Energy and Rock Properties

In a processing plant, natural stone can be cut by methods such as circular sawing (CS), frame sawing (FS), water jet cutting (WJC) and abrasive water jet cutting (AWJC). The efficiency of cutting systems can be compared using various parameters. In this study, the specific energy values were determined and compared to evaluate the efficiency of rock-cutting methods. Rock-cutting experiments were performed on 12 different types of rock samples using a circular sawing machine and an AWJC machine. The experimental results showed that the specific energy values in AWJC were generally higher than in CS. In addition, the relationships between specific energy values and rock properties were explained in this study. The Shore hardness and abrasion resistance were found to be strongly related to the specific energy values, and according to these parameters prediction charts of specific energy values were created.     

花岗岩粗糙单裂隙对流换热特性的数值模拟

在干热岩储层中开采地热能,往往需要对储层进行人工水力压裂以形成贯穿的换热通道。然而,热储中的对流换热对干热岩的采热率有重要影响,经过人工刺激的储层会形成几何形态各异的裂隙面,而裂隙粗糙程度的不同则会引起换热性能的显著差异。因此,选取4条Barton的经典岩石裂隙粗糙度曲线,在试验室条件下建立一个单裂隙对流换热模型。详细分析了花岗岩粗糙裂隙中热工质的换热特性。结果表明：局部对流换热系数沿着裂隙长度方向逐渐降低;节理粗糙系数JRC值越大,平均对流换热系数就越大,表明换热性能越好;局部对流换热系数的分布与JRC曲线的几何轮廓形态有很好的相关性,波峰波谷的变化趋势相一致;相对于温度而言,高流速对局部对流换热系数具有放大效应,流速越大,局部对流换热系数波动越大。     

动态载荷下大理岩断口形貌特征试验研究

为了探究动态载荷下大理岩的断口形貌特征,本文先利用分离式霍普金森压杆对岩样进行不同弹速下的冲击压缩和动态劈裂试验。接着,采用钨丝灯扫描电镜对岩样断口形貌进行细观观察,对比分析了不同试验条件下岩样的断裂模式。最后,引入分形维数定量表征了岩样断口细观形貌及其粗糙程度与冲击弹速间的内在关系。结果表明:在动态载荷下大理岩断口呈脆性特性,其基本断裂模式为沿晶断裂或穿晶断裂;高弹速冲击下,岩样断裂花样变小变密,表面附着岩粉趋多;相对于动态劈裂试验,动态压缩后岩样的破碎程度要高,断口花样中穿晶断裂形式所占的比重较大;随着弹速的增加,动态劈裂和动态压缩断裂模式均由耗能较低的沿晶断裂向耗能较高的穿晶断裂转变,分形维数值相应增大,但动态劈裂试验中分形维数值比动态压缩试验的应变率敏感性更加明显。     

岩石结构面粗糙度系数尺寸效应的推拉试验研究

粗糙度系数是结构面抗剪强度的主要影响因素,然而由于结构面表面形态的复杂性,粗糙度系数尺寸效应研究并未获得较大进展。总结了结构面粗糙度系数的3种获取手段：标准剖面对比法、理论公式法、试验反分析法。在此基础上分析了3种方法在研究粗糙度系数尺寸效应方面存在的问题和困难。为了研究结构面粗糙度系数与试样尺寸的相关度,对中砂、硅粉、水泥、非引气型萘系减水剂等原材料的配比进行了研究,获得了与天然钙质板岩物理力学特性相类似的岩石模型材料,然后采用研发的结构面制作模具及其制备工艺制作了8组共176对具有不同尺寸和表面起伏粗糙程度的结构面,并利用改进的高精度岩石结构面推拉仪对结构面粗糙度系数进行了推拉试验研究和数据统计分析,结果表明：模型结构面粗糙度系数的统计均值随试样尺寸的增加而降低,但特定结构面粗糙度系数的尺寸效应规律需要根据结构面的具体表面形貌进行测试;Barton理论公式计算的结构面粗糙度系数尺寸效应变化规律与推拉试验测试规律总体上一致,但试验值与理论值有差异,且结构面试样尺寸越小,二者的差异就越大;具有特定表面形貌的模型结构面粗糙度系数也有差异,工程大尺寸岩体结构面粗糙度系数需要根据表面形貌和分布特征进行综合判定。     

花岗岩单裂隙渗流传热特性试验

基于岩石裂隙渗流传热试验系统,以蒸馏水为换热工质,针对预制平滑裂隙与粗糙裂隙的花岗岩岩样,开展不同试验温度与水流条件下的单裂隙对流换热特性试验研究。试验结果表明：①同一温度水平下,对流换热系数的量值与流量呈正相关关系,但对流换热系数的增幅大于流量的增幅,随岩石基质温度的升高,相同流量水平下的对流换热系数呈增大趋势;②与平滑裂隙试验结果相比,粗糙裂隙面的对流换热强度有所提高,但增幅不大;③沿渗流路径,裂隙面局部对流换热强度的演化呈现多波峰的非线性特征,其中粗糙裂隙的非线性更加强烈。但二者均存在由进水口至出水口,换热强度逐渐减弱的特征。④努塞尔数与普朗特数1/3次方的商与雷诺数较好地满足幂指数关系,随着试验温度的升高,这种关系逐渐向线性转变。     

结构面粗糙度统计测量最小样本数确定方法

由于结构面粗糙度具有各质异性、各向异性、非均一性和尺寸效应等特征，结构面粗糙度系数（JRC）取值具有不确定性，工程中广泛采用统计方法来分析结构面粗糙度性质，然而以往研究往往忽略样本数不足对统计结果的影响。针对结构面粗糙度统计测量时无法确定合理样本数的问题，分别提出基于变异系数级比分析及简单随机抽样原理的最小样本数确定方法。以实际工程岩体结构面表面数据为研究对象，对比分析两种方法在系列尺寸下确定的统计测量最小样本数。实例分析表明：小尺寸样本的变异系数（CV）值明显大于大尺寸样本，且CV值随取样尺寸的增大而减小，取样尺寸为10～50 cm的CV值基本稳定在0.31～0.47之间，取样尺寸为60～100 cm的CV值基本稳定在0.21～0.31之间；最小样本数与取样尺寸基本满足幂函数关系，且最小样本数随取样尺寸的增大而减少；系列尺寸下级比分析方法在允许误差为±2%时确定的最小样本数与简单随机抽样原理在最大允许误差为10%、置信度为95%时计算的最小样本数是一致的，相似度大于0.997。该研究方法可为工程岩体中定量获取结构面粗糙度统计测量最小样本数提供依据，保证了JRC（结构面粗糙度系数）统计测量结果的准确性，对工程岩体稳定性评价中结构面力学参数的准确获取具有重要意义。     

裂隙特征对岩石渗流特性的影响规律研究

裂隙是油气储层主要的储集空间及流体渗流通道,影响油气的运移规律,是油气勘探开发的重要指标。以冀中坳陷任丘油田任10井为例,运用数值模拟方法研究了裂隙开展宽度和裂隙面粗糙度对岩石渗流特性的影响规律。研究结果表明,(1)裂隙开展宽度较小时,孔隙内流体压力仅在入口处小范围内呈扇形分布,裂隙中压力分布曲线呈正切函数型,流体流速在裂隙和孔隙中都较小;随着裂缝开展宽度的增加,孔隙内流体压力逐渐增大,裂隙中压力分布曲线逐渐向直线型转变,流体流速在入口处先减小后稳定,在裂隙中先增加后稳定;(2)裂隙面粗糙度对裂隙岩石渗流特性的影响与裂隙开展宽度有关,在裂隙开展宽度较大时,裂隙面粗糙度对流体压力的分布影响较大;随着裂隙面粗糙度增大,孔隙内流速逐渐增大,而裂隙中流速逐渐减小;(3)随着裂隙开展宽度的增大,影响裂隙流体流动的主控因素逐渐由裂隙开展宽度转变为裂隙面粗糙度。     

An Algorithmic 3D Rock Roughness Measure Using Local Depth Measurement Clusters

Summary. A computational algorithm which uses depth data from a reference plane to a rock fracture surface in calculating a new three-dimensional joint roughness coefficient is presented. Two independent sets of fracture data are investigated. The new coefficient is compared to Barton’s 2D joint roughness coefficient JRC. A measure indicating corrupt data is discussed. The algorithm is also used to show that, in general, rock roughness is only a local variable, not a directional one.     

低应力与覆水环境下单裂隙粉砂质泥岩渗流特性

为探究不同外部环境因素影响下浅层粉砂质泥岩边坡裂隙渗流特性,采用自主研发的岩体裂隙渗流试验装置,对含6种不同裂隙面粗糙度（JRC）的粉砂质泥岩裂隙试样进行渗流试验,研究了不同低围压和覆水深度下粉砂质泥岩裂隙渗流特性。结果表明：不同覆水深度及JRC下围压与粉砂质泥岩裂隙渗透系数均呈反相关,两者之间关系可用幂函数表征,且渗透系数的降低过程可分为快速降低（围压为0～30 kPa）和缓慢降低（围压为30～50 kPa）两个阶段,CT扫描结果验证了围压增大使得粉砂质泥岩裂隙开度减小是渗透系数随围压增大而减小的主要原因。随围压的增大或覆水深度的减小,不同JRC粉砂质泥岩裂隙渗透系数的离散程度逐渐减小。当围压增至最大,同时覆水深度最小时,JRC对裂隙渗透系数的影响将会被消除。不同围压下,粉砂质泥岩裂隙渗透系数与覆水深度呈正相关,且两者关系可用指数函数表征。推导出了粉砂质泥岩裂隙渗流非线性Izabsh模型,该模型能较好地反映低应力及低流速下粉砂质泥岩裂隙渗流量与压力梯度之间的非线性变化关系,但随围压的增大,该模型的相关性有一定程度的减小。     

基于PCA法和Fisher判别分析法的岩体质量等级分类

岩体质量等级分类在实际的工程中有着很重要的作用。基于主成分分析（PCA）法和与Fisher判别分析法相结合建立岩体质量等级判别模型,选取单轴抗压强度、岩体体积节理数、声波纵波速度、节理面风化变异系数、节理面粗糙度系数和透水性系数6种指标作为岩体质量分级判别的判别因子。以永平铜矿露天矿区工程岩体特征资料中的20个样本为训练样本,10个为待判样本,对该模型进行检验和应用,并与传统的RMR法、Fisher判别分析模型的结果进行比较,相应正确率分别为87%、70%、77%,判断结果表明利用主成分分析法和Fisher判别分析法建立的模型判别能力更高。     

Parametric study of factors affecting fluid flow through a fracture

Understanding the flow behavior through fractures is critically important in a wide variety of applications. In many situations, the fluid flow can be highly irregular and non-linear in nature. Numerical simulation can be employed to simulate such conditions which are difficult to replicate in laboratory experiments. Therefore, a parametric study has been conducted on the fluid flow through micro-fracture over a large range of inlet pressure, fluid density, fluid viscosity, temperature, joint roughness coefficient (JRC), and fracture using finite element analysis. Irregular fracture profiles were created using Barton’s joint roughness coefficient. The Navier-Stokes (NS) equation was used to simulate the flow of water in those micro-fractures. The result showed that the fracture, fluid, and ambient conditions have a wide and varied effect on the fluid flow behavior. The interrelationship between these parameters was also studied. The model simulation provided result in the form of velocity and pressure drop profile, which can be used to determine the behavior of flow under different condition. The volumetric flow was calculated for each condition and has been plotted against the corresponding parameter to study the interrelationship.     

粗糙岩石裂隙低速非线性渗流模型及试验验证

岩体粗糙裂隙非线性渗透特性是岩体渗流研究的重要课题。针对Javadi所提T模型中亚裂隙中速度恒定这一假设的不足,将其修正为速度与开度成正比的经验关系,考虑黏性压降和局部压降,提出了新的低速下粗糙裂隙非线性渗流模型（MT模型）。为了验证MT模型的正确性,对5种不同粗糙裂隙进行了低流量的饱和渗流试验,将现有模型及MT模型的预测值与试验结果进行对比,分析表明MT模型与试验结果更为吻合,且模型适用于粗糙性系数JRC≤10的低粗糙度裂隙,雷诺数小于1 000的低流速情况。对MT模型进行分析,初步揭露了粗糙裂隙的非线性渗流机制,即小雷诺数下的Darcy流和大雷诺数下的Forchheimer流,并用临界雷诺数区分两种流动行为。分析了裂隙的粗糙度和开度对非线性渗流特性的影响,表明裂隙越粗糙或开度越小,则临界雷诺数越小,非线性作用将越强。提出了临界雷诺数与水力开度和绝对粗糙度的经验关系式,同时指出该关系式适用于JRC≤10的低粗糙度裂隙。     

不同成因结构面各向异性特征及其剪切力学特性

岩体结构面具有明显的各向异性,其直接影响岩体的变形特性、力学特性与渗流特性,因此对结构面的各向异性特征开展量化分析尤为重要。针对不同成因(劈裂、剪切)结构面,利用结构面量化参数(节理粗糙度系数JRC、节理平均倾角θ、分形维数D_B)对其各向异性特征进行了分析,研究了各向异性特征对其剪切力学特性的影响。研究结果表明:(1)在劈裂断裂结构面中,平行劈裂方向的JRC与θ值普遍大于垂直方向,且随角度变化波动较小,D_B在对角线方向变化较大,其值与所取剖面线长度有关;而在剪切断裂结构面中,平行剪切方向的JRC和θ值与垂直方向无明显差别,但D_B同样在对角线方向变化较大;(2)在评价结构面各向异性时,采用θ、D_B等参数评价时,劈裂断裂结构面与剪切断裂结构面各向异性系数无明显差别,采用JRC作为评价参数时,其各向异性系数差异较大,能较好反映不同结构面之间的差异特征;(3)剪切断裂结构面的峰值剪切荷载和法向位移均高于劈裂断裂结构面,两种结构面的剪胀角达到峰值时的剪切位移相近,剪切断裂结构面的开度分布较为集中且普遍较大,劈裂断裂结构面开度分布则较为分散。     

Prediction of the sawing quality of Marmarit stones using the capability of artificial neural network

The sawing rate is one of the most significant and effective parameters in extracting building stones via diamond wire sawing. This parameter designates the capability of diamond wire sawing for sawing different stones; in addition, the parameter gives rise to economical considerations for quarry designers. In this study, the existent relations between stone geotechnical parameters and the sawing rate of stones via diamond wire sawing were analyzed using regression and correlation coefficient as well as the collected data from Marmarit stone quarries. Moreover, we estimated the sawing rate of Marmarit using the dimensional stone rock mass rating (DSRMR); upon comparison of the data obtained from DSRMR our pre‐collected data on quarries, we did not gain satisfactory results from DSRMR, hence we used artificial neural network (ANN). The results showed that the percentage of Silica, the coefficient of water absorption, the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and abrasive hardness are the proper parameters for creating the ANN. Discontinuities have the least effects possible on diamond wire sawing. Having given the training possibility of the ANN, and its ability to evaluate relations among input parameters, the ANN, which was being trained with Marmarit's traits, was an accurate network for estimating diamond wire sawing in Marmarit quarries, although it could not generalize this network for other stones such as Chini and Crystal. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two-dimensional reactive transport modeling of the alteration of a fractured limestone by hyperalkaline solutions at Maqarin (Jordan)

Two-dimensional reactive transport modeling of the Maqarin Eastern Springs site, a natural analogue for the alteration of a fractured limestone by high-pH Portland cement waters, has been performed using the CrunchFlow code. These 2D calculations included transport by advection–dispersion–diffusion along a single fracture and diffusion in the wall rock. Solute transport was coupled to mineral dissolution and precipitation. A limited sensitivity analysis evaluated the effect of different values of primary mineral surface areas, flow velocity and sulfate concentration of the inflowing high-pH solution.Major secondary minerals include ettringite–thaumasite, C–S–H/C–A–S–H and calcite. C–S–H/C–A–S–H precipitation is controlled by the dissolution of primary silicates. Ettringite precipitation is controlled by diffusion of sulfate and aluminum from the wall rock to the fracture, with aluminum provided by the dissolution of albite. Calcite precipitation is controlled by diffusion of carbonate from the wall rock. Extents of porosity sealing along the fracture and in the fracture-wall rock interface depend on assumptions regarding flow velocity and composition of the high-pH solution. The multiple episodes of fracture sealing and reactivation evidenced in the fracture infills were not included in the simulations. Results can qualitatively reproduce the reported decrease in porosity in the fractures and in the wall rock next to the fractures. Instances of porosity increase next to fractures caused by carbonate dissolution were not reproduced by the calculations.     

Influence of Structural Non-Stationarity of Surface Roughness on Morphological Characterization and Mechanical Deformation of Rock Joints

Summary Structural non-stationarity of surface roughness affects accurate morphological characterization as well as mechanical behaviour of rock joints at the laboratory scale using samples with a size below the stationarity threshold. In this paper, the effect of structural non-stationarity of surface roughness is investigated by studying the scale dependence of surface roughness and mechanical behaviour of rock joints. The results show that the structural non-stationarity mainly affects the accurate characterization of the surface roughness of the fracture samples. It also controls the amount and location of the contact areas during shear tests, which in turn affects the mechanical properties and asperity degradation of the samples. It is concluded that for accurate determination of the morphological and mechanical properties of rock joints at laboratory and field scales, samples with size equal to or larger than the stationarity threshold are required. Author’s address: Nader Fardin, Rock Mechanics Group, Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box: 11365/4563, Tehran, Iran     

Long-Wavelength Elastic Wave Propagation Across Naturally Fractured Rock Masses

Geophysical site investigation techniques based on elastic waves have been widely used to characterize rock masses. However, characterizing jointed rock masses by using such techniques remains challenging because of a lack of knowledge about elastic wave propagation in multi-jointed rock masses. In this paper, the roughness of naturally fractured rock joint surfaces is estimated by using a three-dimensional (3D) image-processing technique. The classification of the joint roughness coefficient (JRC) is enhanced by introducing the scan line technique. The peak-to-valley height is selected as a key indicator for JRC classification. Long-wavelength P-wave and torsional S-wave propagation across rock masses containing naturally fractured joints are simulated through the quasi-static resonant column (QSRC) test. In general, as the JRC increases, the S-wave velocity increases within the range of stress levels considered in this paper, whereas the P-wave velocity and the damping ratio of the shear wave decrease. In particular, the two-dimensional joint specimen underestimates the S-wave velocity while overestimating the P-wave velocity. This suggests that 3D joint surfaces should be implicated to obtain the reliable elastic wave velocity in jointed rock masses. The contact characteristic and degree of roughness and waviness of the joint surface are identified as a factor influencing P-wave and S-wave propagation in multi-jointed rock masses. The results indicate a need for a better understanding of the sensitivity of contact area alterations to the elastic wave velocity induced by changes in normal stress. This paper’s framework can be a reference for future research on elastic wave propagation in naturally multi-jointed rock masses.     

Influence of three-dimensional roughness of rock fracture on seepage characteristics based on the digital image technology

Digital image processing technology can objectively reflect the surface roughness of coal and rock mass fractures and turn physical properties such as fluctuation height to physical data of the rock fracture surface to be used for numerical analyses; thus, it can effectively be applied to the seepage flow analysis of rock fractures. First, clear digital images of the fracture surface height are obtained under the same camera conditions, and then characteristic function values specific to various structure are normalized. Subsequently, the fluctuation height distribution of the rock surface is restored according to the measured fluctuation heights of local points. Finally, according to the surface fluctuation of fractures, invasive restructuring is carried out for three-dimensional fractures in the same coordinate system. Obtained physical parameters on the three-dimensional fractures of the rock are inputted into the COMSOL Multiphysics software to obtain the characteristic three-dimensional model of the rock fracture surface. The numerical analysis results are compared with experimental data on fracture seepage obtained from a seepage coupling true triaxial test system, and the relevance between the simulated result and the physical experiment is higher than 90%, which confirms that the integration of the digital image technology and the numerical analysis method can effectively simulate seepage in rough fractures. The hydraulic gradient of rough fractures and seepage velocity are also consistent with Forchheimer flow characteristics.     

Abrasivity Assessment of Granitic Building Stones in Relation to Diamond Tool Wear Rate Using Mineralogy-Based Rock Hardness Indexes

The objective of the present study was to determine the abrasive wear potential of granites in circular sawing using some mineralogy-based rock hardness indexes. A literature study indicated that little or no attention has been given to assessing this kind of relationship in the field of stone processing. To accomplish this objective, sawing experiments were performed on nine different granites used widely as building and decorative stone materials. The measured sawblade-specific wear rates were correlated with three different rock hardness indexes attained by combining the percentage content of hard mineral constituents with their known hardness values. Statistical analysis of the experimental data revealed that rock hardness indexes that are based on both Vickers hardness number and Rosiwal hardness could be accepted as reliable indicators of granite abrasivity. These two indexes were also found to correlate well with the average power drawn during the process. However, the rock abrasivity index based on Mohs relative scratch hardness did not show statistically significant correlations with sawblade wear rate and power drawn. Although quartz percentage content is regarded as an important abrasivity parameter by practitioners, the observations made here indicate that consideration of quartz percentage content alone is not sufficient to describe the abrasive potential of granites, and thus incorporation of other hard mineral constituents could be more suitable.