Impacts of saturation-dependent anisotropy on the shrinkage behavior of clay rocks

Geomaterials such as soils and rocks can exhibit inherent anisotropy due to the preferred orientation of mineral grains and/or cracks. They can also be partially saturated with multiple types of fluids occupying the pore space. The anisotropic and unsaturated behaviors of geomaterials can be highly interdependent. Experimental studies have shown that the elastic parameters of rocks evolve with saturation. The effect of saturation has also been shown to differ between directions in transversely isotropic clay rock. This gives rise to saturation-dependent stiffness anisotropy. Similarly, permeability anisotropy can also be saturation-dependent. In this study, constitutive equations accommodating saturation-dependent stiffness and hydraulic anisotropy are presented. A linear function is used to describe the relationship between the elastic parameters and saturation, while the relative permeability–saturation relationship is characterized with a log-linear function. These equations are implemented into a hydromechanical framework to investigate the effects of saturation-dependent properties on the shrinkage behavior of clay rocks. Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the role of saturation-dependent stiffness and hydraulic anisotropy in shrinkage behavior. The results highlight that strain anisotropy and time evolution of pore pressures are substantially influenced by saturation-dependent stiffness and hydraulic anisotropy.

     

Mechanical and Elastic Properties of Transversely Isotropic Slate

Planes of weakness like schistosity and foliation affect the strength and deformational behaviors of rocks. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the elastic and strength behavior of slate rocks obtained from foundation of Sardasht dam site in Iran. Wet and dry specimens with different orientation of foliation were evaluated under uniaxial, triaxial, and Brazilian tests. According to the results obtained, slate mechanically pronounced U-shaped anisotropy in uniaxial and triaxial compression tests. In addition, the degree of anisotropy for the slates tested in current study was relatively high, showing the effect of foliation plane on strength and elastic parameters. It was concluded that stiffness of the samples decrease as the angle of anisotropy reaches 30–40°. This change was more pronounced for wet comparing to dry samples. However, the tensile strength obtained during Brazilian tests indicated that there is no apparent relationship between angle of anisotropy and tensile strength. However, increasing the water saturation decreased the tensile strength of the samples. The calculated elastic moduli referring to different anisotropy angles could be valuable for the design of various engineering structures in planar textured rock masses.     

一种适用于饱和黏土循环动力分析边界面塑性模型的隐式积分算法

修正了传统隐式回映算法,建立了适用于饱和黏土循环动力分析的边界面塑性模型的完全隐式积分格式。该模型基于无弹性域概念和临界状态理论,采用各向同性、运动硬化准则、旋转的边界面,并引入表征土体结构损伤和重塑程度的损伤变量以反映循环载荷作用下饱和黏土的各向异性、刚度、强度软化及塑性变形累积等特征。针对等压固结 和偏压固结 的饱和高岭黏土的不排水三轴试验进行模拟,采用不同的应变增量步长进行计算,并与试验数据对比,结果表明,修正隐式回映算法应用于该类边界面模型的合理性、积分格式的精确性和稳定性;另外,结合有限元软件自动时间步长的增量迭代解法,对饱和黏土应力控制的不排水动三轴试验进行预测,结果表明,修正的适用于该边界面的塑性模型隐式回映算法可以得到比较合理的数值分析结果,能够反映饱和黏土的循环刚度的退化和强度的弱化等动力特性。     

Thermoplasticity and strain localization in transversely isotropic materials based on anisotropic critical state plasticity

Geomaterials such as soils and rocks are inherently anisotropic and sensitive to temperature changes caused by various internal and external processes. They are also susceptible to strain localization in the form of shear bands when subjected to critical loads. We present a thermoplastic framework for modeling coupled thermomechanical response and for predicting the inception of a shear band in a transversely isotropic material using the general framework of critical state plasticity and the specific framework of an anisotropic modified Cam–Clay model. The formulation incorporates anisotropy in both elastic and plastic responses under the assumption of infinitesimal deformation. The model is first calibrated using experimental data from triaxial tests to demonstrate its capability in capturing anisotropy in the mechanical response. Subsequently, stress‐point simulations of strain localization are carried out under two different conditions, namely, isothermal localization and adiabatic localization. The adiabatic formulation investigates the effect of temperature on localization via thermomechanical coupling. Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the important role of anisotropy, hardening, and thermal softening on strain localization inception and orientation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the strength of transversely isotropic rocks

Accurate prediction of strength in rocks with distinct bedding planes requires knowledge of the bedding plane orientation relative to the load direction. Thermal softening adds complexity to the problem since it is known to have significant influence on the strength and strain localization properties of rocks. In this paper, we use a recently proposed thermoplastic constitutive model appropriate for rocks exhibiting transverse isotropy in both the elastic and plastic responses to predict their strength and strain localization properties. Recognizing that laboratory‐derived strengths can be influenced by material and geometric inhomogeneities of the rock samples, we consider both stress‐point and boundary‐value problem simulations of rock strength behavior. Both plane strain and 3D loading conditions are considered. Results of the simulations of the strength of a natural Tournemire shale and a synthetic transversely isotropic rock suggest that the mechanical model can reproduce the general U‐shaped variation of rock strength with bedding plane orientation quite well. We show that this variation could depend on many factors, including the stress loading condition (plane strain versus 3D), degree of anisotropy, temperature, shear‐induced dilation versus shear‐induced compaction, specimen imperfections, and boundary restraints.     

Modeling of inherent anisotropic behavior of partially saturated clayey rocks

Clayey rocks are frequently chosen as a geological barrier material for underground repositories. The inherent anisotropic mechanical behavior and the evolution of mechanical behavior with water content are two crucial material properties for the safety analysis of these structures. The present paper focuses on numerical modeling of the inherent anisotropy and the effect of water content, as well as the interactions of these properties in partially saturated clayey rocks with preferably oriented bedding planes. A discrete thermodynamic approach is adopted for describing the inherent anisotropic mechanical behavior, and the anisotropy of the elastic parameters, plastic evolution and damage evolution are considered. Capillary pressure is introduced to describe the effect of the water content with the help of the effective stress concept, and a procedure for the identification of the model parameters is presented. Finally, the proposed model is applied to a study of triaxial compression tests of argillite with different orientations of the bedding planes and variable water content. In summary, the main features of the studied material are well reproduced by the model.     

A micro-mechanics-based elastic–plastic model for porous rocks: applications to sandstone and chalk

A micro-mechanics-based elastic–plastic model is proposed to describe mechanical behaviors of porous rock-like materials. The porous rock is considered as a composite material composed of a solid matrix and spherical pores. The effective elastic properties are determined from the classical Mori–Tanaka linear homogenization scheme. The solid matrix verifies a pressure-dependent Mises–Schleicher-type yield criterion. Based on the analytical macroscopic yield criterion previously determined with a nonlinear homogenization procedure (Shen et al. in Eur J Mech A/Solids 49:531–538, 2015), a complete elastic–plastic model is formulated with the determination of a specific plastic hardening law and plastic potential. The micro-mechanics-based elastic–plastic model is then implemented for a material point in view of simulations of homogeneous laboratory tests. The proposed model is applied to describe mechanical behaviors of two representative porous rocks, sandstone and chalk. Comparisons between numerical results and experimental data are presented for triaxial compression tests with different confining pressures, and they show that the micro-mechanical model is able to capture main features of mechanical behaviors of porous rock-like rocks.     

攀枝花尖山矿区细中粒辉长岩力学特性试验研究

对攀枝花钒钛磁铁矿尖山矿区的细粒和中粒辉长岩进行了单轴压缩、常规三轴压缩、抗拉强度和软化等系列岩石力学试验,研究了岩石结构(矿物颗粒大小)、水和围压等因素对岩石强度和变形特性的影响。结果表明,细粒辉长岩单轴抗压强度、弹性模量和压拉比均高于中粒辉长岩,但在三轴压缩情况下,两种岩石的峰值强度、残余强度和弹性模量差异较小;与中粒辉长岩相比,细粒辉长岩的峰值强度的黏聚力C较大,而峰值强度的内摩擦角φ较小;随着围压的增长,辉长岩峰值强度、残余强度与围压近似呈线性关系,剪切破坏角减小,平均模量E增长不明显,割线模量E50增长较显著;辉长岩的软化系数较高,在水的作用下弹性模量降低,泊松比升高。     

基于三轴压缩试验的破裂岩损伤演化方程的建立

分析了基于三轴试验的弹塑性损伤演化方程建立的方法 ,验证了采用该方法的合理性 ,并依此提出了鲁中冶金矿山公司小官庄铁矿两类破裂岩的弹塑性损伤演化方程 ,该方程参数少、物理意义明确 ,对该类围岩巷道进行数值计算分析具有重要意义。     

陇西黄土三轴剪切过程微观变化研究

为了解黄土三轴剪切过程中的微观变化,采用PFC3D建立黄土三轴试验模型,模拟围压分别为0、50、150、300 kPa的三轴剪切试验,并与室内试验进行对比分析。分析结果表明：PFC3D能够较好地模拟出不同围压下从开始到破坏到残余变形整个过程中应力-应变的变化规律,且位移场及接触应力场的变化规律与室内三轴试验宏观现象较一致;发现弹性模量、泊松比及峰值强度与数值模型中微观参数有着密切的联系,如法向刚度kn控制试样宏观弹性模量,kn /ks值控制泊松比,摩擦系数控制峰值强度;通过体应变-轴向应变曲线发现,随着围压的增加应变能增大,试样呈现出由体积膨胀到体积减缩的变化规律。其研究结果为进一步探究黄土的应力-应变性状及抗剪强度特性提供参考。     

Physical and numerical investigation of a cemented granular assembly of steel spheres

In this paper, steel spheres embedded in a cement matrix were studied using numerical and physical ISRM testing procedures. A challenge in discrete element simulations is to select appropriate micro‐mechanical models and parameters, to recover the observed macro‐mechanical behavior. An ideal experiment on cohesive granular assemblies constructed identical to numerical ones would validate these micro models for a set of measured micro‐parameters. The first part of the paper summarizes the previous studies in this area, outlines such experimental methodology and depicts the steps followed for the preparation and the testing of cemented granular assemblies together with the derivation of micro‐parameters. The second part discusses the results of numerical and physical ISRM standard tests including uniaxial and triaxial compression, Brazilian tensile and shear box tests. Physical samples were prepared using steel balls bonded with Portland cement, cured under controlled laboratory conditions and tested in compression, tension and shearing. Acoustic emissions were monitored in uniaxial tests to characterize the damage thresholds relative to volumetric strains. Numerical simulations were conducted with PFC 3D using micro‐mechanical parameters derived from physical testing. Parametric sensitivity studies were carried out to look into the dependency of macroscopic responses on the parameters. The results from both numerical and physical tests showed good correspondence in macroscopic behavior i.e. peak strength, stages of damage, mode of failures. However, the numerical simulations reflected a stiffer mechanical response than physical assemblies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

考虑循环弱化的饱和黏土简化非线性模型

随着海洋工程建设的快速发展,海洋环境中的地基稳定性逐渐成为学者和工程师关注的热点问题,建立一个简化的饱和黏土循环加载模型对于长期循环荷载下海上构筑物的设计具有重要意义。针对饱和黏土的循环弱化特性,在Hardin-Drnevich等效非线性模型的基础上,建立了考虑循环弱化的饱和黏土简化非线性模型来描述循环加载下饱和黏土的应力-应变关系,模型中引入了由循环加载期间产生的累积塑性变形控制的强度和模量衰减比公式。通过参数分析,说明了形状参数 与n以及残余衰减比与衰减系数等参数的意义和作用。通过对文献中单向循环试验和双向循环试验结果的模拟,验证了该简化模型可以较好地描述循环加载时饱和黏土应力应变滞回圈的演变规律以及循环加载后饱和黏土的强度和刚度弱化现象。简化模型大大提高了计算效率,与传统的土体弹塑性模型相比更加便于工程应用。     

A densification mechanism to model the mechanical effect of methane hydrates in sandy sediments

Recent pore-scale observations and geomechanical investigations suggest the lack of true cohesion in methane hydrate-bearing sediments (MHBSs) and propose that their mechanical behavior is governed by kinematic constrictions at pore-scale. This paper presents a constitutive model for MHBS, which does not rely on physical bonding between hydrate crystals and sediment grains but on the densification effect that pore invasion with hydrate has on the sediment mechanical properties. The Hydrate-CASM extends the critical state model Clay and Sand Model (CASM) by implementing the subloading surface model and introducing the densification mechanism. The model suggests that the decrease of the sediment available void volume during hydrate formation stiffens its structure and has a similar mechanical effect as the increase of sediment density. In particular, the model attributes stress-strain changes observed in MHBS to the variations in sediment available void volume with hydrate saturation and its consequent effect on isotropic yield stress and swelling line slope. The model performance is examined against published experimental data from drained triaxial tests performed at different confining stress and with distinct hydrate saturation and morphology. Overall, the simulations capture the influence of hydrate saturation in both the magnitude and trend of the stiffness, shear strength, and volumetric response of synthetic MHBS. The results are validated against those obtained from previous mechanical models for MHBS that examine the same experimental data. The Hydrate-CASM performs similarly to previous models, but its formulation only requires one hydrate-related empirical parameter to express changes in the sediment elastic stiffness with hydrate saturation.     

岩盐弹塑性损伤耦合模型研究

岩盐力学模型是进行能源岩盐储存工程稳定性分析的基础,而损伤和塑性机制并存且相互耦合是岩盐力学行为的基本特点。采用云应岩盐,进行了多组围压条件下的三轴压缩试验,分析了不同围压下岩盐的变形特征。在试验分析的基础上,提出了一种能够描述岩盐特性的弹塑性损伤耦合的模型,该模型描述了岩盐损伤的演化和塑性变形的耦合关系,并引入了一种非关联的塑性流动法则来描述岩盐从塑性体积压缩到膨胀的转化。采用该模型对在三轴压缩下的岩盐应力-应变关系进行了模拟分析,并与试验数据进行了对比,结果表明该模型能够较好地描述岩盐的主要力学和变形特性。     

Gas flow in anisotropic claystone: modelling triaxial experiments

Selected gas pulse tests on initially saturated claystone samples under isotropic confinement pressure are simulated using a 3D thermo‐hydro‐mechanical code. The constitutive model considers the hydro‐mechanical anisotropy of argillaceous rocks. A cross‐anisotropic linear elastic law is adopted for the mechanical behaviour. Elements for a proper modelling of gas flow along preferential paths include an embedded fracture permeability model. Rock permeability and its retention curve depend on strains through a fracture aperture. The hydraulic and mechanical behaviours have a common anisotropic structure. Small‐scale heterogeneity is considered to enhance the initiation of flow through preferential paths, following the direction of the bedding planes. The numerical simulations were performed considering two different bedding orientations, parallel and normal to the imposed flow in the test. Simulations are in agreement with recorded upstream and downstream pressures in the tests. The evolution of fluid pressures, degree of saturation, element permeability and stress paths are presented for each case analysed. This information provides a good insight into the mechanisms of gas transport. Different flow patterns are obtained depending on bedding orientation, and the results provide an explanation for the results obtained in the tests. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Description of deformation process in inherently anisotropic granular materials

The main focus in this work is on modeling of mechanical response of granular materials that display inherent anisotropy. Both the experimental and numerical investigations are described. First, the results of direct shear as well as drained/undrained triaxial tests that involve crushed limestone with elongated angular‐shaped particles are reviewed. Afterward, a mathematical framework is presented for modeling of elastic/ inelastic deformation that incorporates the multi‐laminate approach. The deformation is monitored on a set of randomly oriented planes, and the formulation incorporates the thickness of the shear band that is associated with sliding/separation process. A systematic procedure for identification of material functions/ parameters is outlined that is based on the results of direct shear tests, and the framework is later applied to simulate the behavior under triaxial conditions. The results of numerical simulations are compared with the experimental data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Elastoplastic Model for Partially Saturated Collapsible Rocks

A unified elastoplastic model for describing the stress–strain behavior of partially saturated collapsible rocks is proposed. The elastic–plastic response due to loading and unloading is captured using bounding surface plasticity. The coupling effect of hydraulic and mechanical responses is addressed by applying the effective stress concept. Special attention is paid to the rock–fluid characteristic curve (RFCC), effective stress parameter, and suction hardening. A wide range of saturation degree is considered. The characteristics of mechanical behavior in partially saturated collapsible rocks are captured for all cases considered.     

A modi?ed failure criterion for transversely isotropic rocks

A modified failure criterion is proposed to determine the strength of transversely isotropic rocks. Me-chanical properties of some metamorphic and sedimentary rocks including gneiss, slate, marble, schist, shale, sandstone and limestone, which show transversely isotropic behavior, were taken into consider-ation. Afterward, introduced triaxial rock strength criterion was modified for transversely isotropic rocks. Through modification process an index was obtained that can be considered as a strength reduction parameter due to rock strength anisotropy. Comparison of the parameter with previous anisotropy in-dexes in literature showed reasonable results for the studied rock samples. The modified criterion was compared to modified Hoek-Brown and Ramamurthy criteria for different transversely isotropic rocks. It can be concluded that the modified failure criterion proposed in this study can be used for predicting the strength of transversely isotropic rocks.     

Numerical study of excavation induced fractures using an extended rigid block spring method

This paper presents a numerical study of fracturing process induced by excavation around a gallery using an extended rigid block spring method (RBSM). The surrounding rock mass is characterized by an assembly of rigid blocks based on a degraded Voronoi diagram. The macroscopic mechanical behavior of rock is related to that of interfaces between blocks. The mechanical behavior of each interface is described by its elastic stiffness and failure criterion. The failure process of interface is controlled by both normal stress and shear stress. Both tensile and shear failures are considered. The macroscopic fracturing process is described by the coalescence of cracked interfaces. The rock structural anisotropy is taken into account through a spatial variation of elastic stiffness and failure strength of interfaces. A series of sensitivity studies are performed to investigate effects of gallery orientation, failure strength of interfaces and rock structural anisotropy on gallery deformation and fracturing. Numerical results are compared with in-situ observations in terms of fracture patterns.