A new Cosserat-like constitutive model for bedded salt rocks

Salt rocks are commonly used as geologic host rocks for storage of gas and crude oil, and are being considered for the disposal of radioactive waste. Different from the salt rock domes in many countries, the salt rock formations in China are usually laminar with many alternating layers, i.e. rock salt, anhydrite, and/or mudstone. Considering the unique stratigraphic characteristics of these salt rocks, a new Cosserat-like medium constitutive model is proposed in order to facilitate efficient modeling of the mechanical behavior of these formations. In this model, a new representative volume element, containing two different layers, is employed to simulate the compatibility of the meso-displacement between two different layers and also the bending effect. A new method for the deformation and failure analysis of bedded salt rocks is derived therefrom. Having the macro-average stresses, the conventional stresses in the different layers can be obtained in sequence. The conventional stresses can then be utilized in a routine way for the strength and failure analysis. For the initial numerical modeling, the new Cosserat-like medium is reduced to a transversely isotropic one. The simplified constitutive model for layered media is then implemented into FLAC3D codes. A test sample validates that the results by using the numerical model are in good agreement with that by using the built-in model, and the mesh size for the new model is reduced greatly. Finally, an application for the stability of oil storage caverns in deep thinly bedded salt rocks is carried out. The effects on convergence of storage caverns and on the failure of surrounding rock due to the presence of the mudstone interlayers (hard phase) are discussed in detail. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.