Borehole Breakouts in Berea Sandstone Reveal a New Fracture Mechanism

— Vertical drilling experiments in high-porosity (22% and 25%) Berea sandstone subjected to critical true triaxial far-field stresses, in which σ _H (maximum horizontal stress) >σ _v (vertical stress) >σ _h (least horizontal stress), revealed a new and non-dilatant failure mechanism that results in thin and very long tabular borehole breakouts that have the appearance of fractures, and which counterintuitively develop orthogonally to σ _H . These breakouts are fundamentally different from those induced in crystalline rocks, as well as limestones and medium-porosity Berea sandstone. Breakouts in these rocks are typically dog-eared in shape, a result of dilatant multi-cracking tangential to the hole and subparallel to the maximum far-field horizontal stress σ _H , followed by progressive buckling and shearing of detached rock flakes created by the cracks. In the high-porosity sandstone a narrow layer of grains compacted normal to σ _H is observed just ahead of the breakout tip. This layer is nearly identical to “compaction bands” observed in the field. It is suggested that when a critical tangential stress concentration is reached along the σ _h spring line at the borehole wall, grain bonding breaks down and a compaction band is formed normal to σ _H . Debonded loose grains are expelled into the borehole, assisted by the circulating drilling fluid. As the breakout tip advances, the stress concentration ahead of it persists or may even increase, extending the compaction band, which in turn leads to breakout lengthening.     

Postcyclic behavior of low-plasticity silt with limited excess pore pressures

This paper investigates the postcyclic behavior of low-plasticity silt with excess pore pressure ratio (R_u) less than 1. The testing specimens were prepared from Mississippi River Valley (MRV) silt. Full and no reconsolidation were allowed after specimens were subjected to various excess pore pressure ratios due to cyclic loading in a cyclic triaxial cell, and then monotonic shear tests were conducted. The effect of the R_u on shear strength and stiffness at small and large deformation was investigated. It was found that a R_u greater than 0.70 is a prerequisite of large increase in volumetric strain and undrained shear strength for specimens with full reconsolidation. In contrast, a significant decrease in yield shear strength and initial stiffness was noted for specimens without reconsolidation. In comparison to published data for sands, the silt experienced significant volumetric strain due to reconsolidation at lower R_u, indicating that the specimen fabric was modified or strained at lower R_u.     

Examination of a Rock Failure Criterion Based on Circumferential Tensile Strain

—Uniaxial compression, triaxial compression and Brazialian tests were conducted on several kinds of rock, with particular attention directed to the principal tensile strain. In this paper we aim to clarify the effects of the experimental environment—such as confining pressure, loading rate, water content and anisotropy—on the critical tensile strain, i.e., the measured principal tensile strain at peak load.¶It was determined that the chain-type extensometer is a most suitable method for measuring the critical tensile strain in uniaxial compression tests. It is also shown that the paper-based strain gage, whose effective length is less than or equal to a tenth of the specimen’s diameter and glued on with a rubber-type adhesive, can be effectively used in the Brazilian tests.¶The effect of confining pressure P _C on the critical tensile strain ? _TC in the brittle failure region was between ?0.02 × 10^?10 Pa^?1 and 0.77 × 10^?10 Pa^?1. This pressure sensitivity is small compared to the critical tensile strain values of around ?0.5 × 10^?2. The strain rate sensitivities ?? _TC /?{log(d|?|/dt)} were observed in the same way as the strength constants in other failure criteria. They were found to be from ?0.10 × 10^?3 to ?0.52 × 10^?3 per order of magnitude in strain rate in the triaxial tests. The average magnitude of the critical tensile strain ? _TC increased due to the presence of water by 4% to 20% for some rocks, and decreased by 22% for sandstone. It can at least be said that the critical tensile strain is less sensitive to water content than the uniaxial compressive strength under the experimental conditions reported here. An obvious anisotropy was observed in the P-wave velocity and in the uniaxial compressive strength of Pombetsu sandstone. It was not observed, however, in the critical tensile strain, although the data do show some variation.¶A "tensile strain criterion" was proposed, based on the above experimental results. This criterion signifies that stress begins to drop when the principal tensile strain reaches the critical tensile strain. The criterion is limited to use within the brittle failure region. The critical tensile strain contains an inelastic strain component as well as an elastic one. It is affected by the strain rate, however, it is relatively insensitive to the confining pressure, the presence of water and anisotropy.     

Liquefaction potential and strain dependent dynamic properties of Kasai River sand

The availability of efficient numerical techniques and high speed computation facilities for carrying out the nonlinear dynamic analysis of soil-structure interaction problems and the analysis of ground response due to earthquake loading increase the demand for proper estimation of dynamic properties of soil at small strain as well as at large strain levels. Accurate evaluation of strain dependent dynamic properties of soil such as shear modulus and damping characteristics along with the liquefaction potential are the most important criteria for the assessments of geotechnical problems involving dynamic loading. In this paper the results of resonant column tests and undrained cyclic triaxial tests are presented for Kasai River sand. A new correlation for dynamic shear damping (D_s) and maximum dynamic shear modulus (G_max) are proposed for the sand at small strain. The proposed relationships and the observed experimental data match quite well. The proposed relationships are also compared with the published relationships for other sands. The liquefaction potential of the sand is estimated at different relative densities and the damping characteristics at large strain level is also reported. An attempt has been made to correlate the G_max with the cyclic strength of the soil and also with the deviator stress (at 1% strain) from static triaxial tests.     

Volcano collapse promoted by progressive strength reduction: new data from Mount St. Helens

Rock shear strength plays a fundamental role in volcano flank collapse, yet pertinent data from modern collapse surfaces are rare. Using samples collected from the inferred failure surface of the massive 1980 collapse of Mount St. Helens (MSH), we determined rock shear strength via laboratory tests designed to mimic conditions in the pre-collapse edifice. We observed that the 1980 failure shear surfaces formed primarily in pervasively shattered older dome rocks; failure was not localized in sloping volcanic strata or in weak, hydrothermally altered rocks. Our test results show that rock shear strength under large confining stresses is reduced ∼20% as a result of large quasi-static shear strain, as preceded the 1980 collapse of MSH. Using quasi-3D slope-stability modeling, we demonstrate that this mechanical weakening could have provoked edifice collapse, even in the absence of transiently elevated pore-fluid pressures or earthquake ground shaking. Progressive strength reduction could promote collapses at other volcanic edifices.     

真三轴压缩下大理岩试件中弹性波传播特性的实验研究

在σ_1>σ_2>σ_3的真三轴压缩试验机上进行了弹性波在大理岩试件中传播时沿σ_2(x方向)和σ_3(y方向)的走时、幅值及衰减特性的实验研究。随着载荷应力增加,在x方向上,P波第一个波峰的走时t减小,幅值A减小;在y方向则相反。大约从破坏应力的95%开始,两个方向上t又都迅速增加,A减小,波列振幅衰减系数K也减小,这是真三轴压缩情况下的一种破裂前兆变化特征。Ⅰ型应力途径t开始迅速增加时的差应力值低于Ⅱ型     

岩石塑性变形条件下的Mohr-Coulomb屈服准则

传统的Mohr-Coulomb强度准则仅描述了峰值强度状态下正应力和剪应力之间的关系,作为岩石破坏的判据.本文拓展概念,提出Mohr-Coulomb屈服准则表述岩石发生塑性变形后不同应力状态下屈服面的应力应变关系.在总结实验研究的基础上建立了使用三轴压缩试验数据确定塑性参数c和φ随内变量κ变化的实验技术方法,给出了评价各向同性模型精度的参量表达以及某些测试结果.采用具有各向同性强(软)化规律的Mohr-Coulomb屈服准则,利用岩石的初始屈服、峰值屈服和残余屈服三组参数可以将全过程应力应变曲线简化表征为四直线模型,它比三线性模型有更广泛的适用性.本文的结果为工程地质数值模拟提供了理论和实验基础,具有指导意义.     

Undrained behaviour of two silica sands and practical implications for modelling SSI in liquefiable soils

The aim of the present study is twofold. Firstly, the paper investigates the undrained cyclic and post-cyclic behaviour of two silica sands by means of multi-stage cyclic triaxial tests. Secondly, based on the post-cyclic response observed in the element test, the authors formulate a simplified stress–strain relationship that can be conveniently used for the construction of p–y curves for liquefiable soils. The multi-stage loading condition consists of an initial cyclic loading applied to cause liquefaction, followed by undrained monotonic loading that aimed to investigate the post-cyclic response of the liquefied sample. It was found that due to the tendency of the liquefied soil to dilate upon undrained shearing, the post-liquefaction strain–stress response was characterised by a distinct strain–hardening behaviour. The latter is idealized by means of a bi-linear stress–strain model, which can be conveniently formulated in terms of three parameters, i.e.: (i) take-off shear strain, γ_to, i.e. shear strain required to mobilize 1 kPa of shear strength; (b) initial secant shear modulus, G₁, defined as 1/γ_to; (c) post-liquefied shear modulus at large strain, G₂ (γ⪢γ_to). Based on the experimental results, it is concluded that these parameters are strongly influenced by the initial relative density of the sample, whereby γ_to decreases with increasing relative density. Differently both shear moduli (G₁ and G₂) increases with increasing relative density. Lastly, the construction of new p–y curves for liquefiable soils based on the idealized bi-linear model is described.     

Application of the Pi theorem to the wear rate of gouge formation in frictional sliding of rocks

A simple law of wear rate is examined for the process of gouge generation during the frictional sliding of simulated faults in rocks, by use of the Pi theorem method (dimensional analysis) and existing experimental data. The relationship between wear rate (t/d) and the applied stress can be expressed by the power-law relations $$\frac{t}{d} = C_\sigma \sigma ^{m\sigma } ,\frac{t}{d} = C_\tau \tau ^{m\tau }$$ wheret is the thickness of the gouge generated on the frictional surfaces,d is the fault displacement, σ and τ are normal stress and shear stress, respectively, andC _σ,C _τ,m _σ andm _τ are constants. These results indicate that the exponent coefficientsm _σ andm _τ and the coefficientsC _σ andC _τ depend on the material hardness of the frictional surfaces. By using the wear rates of natural faults, these power-law relationships may prove to be an acceptable palaeopiezometer of natural faults and the lithosphere.     

Mohr space and its application to the activation prediction of pre-existing weakness

The activation coefficient equations in the"activation criterion of pre-existing weakness"are relatively complex and not easy to apply to specific applications.The relative activity of pre-existing weaknesses is often critical in geological analysis.The Mohr circle can be used only in two-dimensional stress analysis.By applying the"activation criterion of pre-existing weakness"and combining it with numerical analysis,we establish the correspondence between the pole(n,n)of a pre-existing weakness plane and its orientation in"Mohr space".As a result,the normal stress(n)and shear stress(n)of a pre-existing weakness plane can be readily expressed in Mohr space.Furthermore,we introduce the method and procedures for predicting the activation and relative activation of pre-existing weaknesses in Mohr space.Finally,we apply the Mohr space method and compare the predictions to sandbox modeling results and 3D seismic data.The results show that Mohr space can be used in stress analysis to estimate the activation of a pre-existing weakness in any triaxial stress state.     

Evaluation of static and dynamic properties of sand–fines mixtures through the state and equivalent state parameters

The results of an experimental investigation on sands with low plastic fines content are presented. Specimens with a low plastic fines content of 0%, 15%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% by weight were tested in drained and undrained triaxial compression tests. The soil specimens were tested under three different categories: (1) at a constant void ratio index; (2) at the same peak deviator stress in a triaxial test; and (3) at a constant relative density. By a combination with our published experimental data in recent years, the critical state line and various state parameters have been proposed and discussed for a further understanding the behavior of sand–fines mixtures. Results indicated that a unique critical line was obtained from drained and undrained triaxial compression tests for each fines content. The effects of fines content on critical state line (CSL) were recognized and discussed. In addition, the results revealed that normalized peak undrained shear stress, cyclic resistance ratio, and compression index were found to be a good correlation with state parameter Ψ as well as equivalent state parameter Ψ*. An increasing state parameter decreased the normalized peak undrained shear stress, and cyclic resistance ratio; however, the compression index increased with an increase in state parameter. Finally, there were no correlations such as the coefficient of consolidation–state parameter and maximum shear modulus–state parameter due to the different testing condition.     

Correlating P-wave Velocity with the Physico-Mechanical Properties of Different Rocks

In mining and civil engineering projects, physico-mechanical properties of the rock affect both the project design and the construction operation. Determination of various physico-mechanical properties of rocks is expensive and time consuming, and sometimes it is very difficult to get cores to perform direct tests to evaluate the rock mass. The purpose of this work is to investigate the relationships between the different physico-mechanical properties of the various rock types with the P-wave velocity. Measurement of P-wave velocity is relatively cheap, non-destructive and easy to carry out. In this study, representative rock mass samples of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks were collected from the different locations of India to obtain an empirical relation between P-wave velocity and uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength, punch shear, density, slake durability index, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, impact strength index and Schmidt hammer rebound number. A very strong correlation was found between the P-wave velocity and different physico-mechanical properties of various rock types with very high coefficients of determination. To check the sensitivity of the empirical equations, Students t test was also performed, which confirmed the validity of the proposed correlations.     

Rock Mass Strength Assessment and Significance to Edifice Stability, Mount Rainier and Mount Hood, Cascade Range Volcanoes

—Catastrophic edifice and sector failure occur commonly on stratovolcanoes worldwide and in some cases leave telltale horseshoe-shaped calderas. Many of these failures are now recognised as having resulted from large-scale landsliding. These slides often transform into debris avalanches and lahars that can devastate populations downstream of the volcano. Research on these phenomena has been directed mainly at understanding avalanche mechanics and travel distances and related socioeconomic impacts. Few investigations have examined volcanic avalanche source characteristics. The focus of this paper is to 1) describe a methodology for obtaining rock strengths that control initial failure and 2) report results of rock mass strength testing from Mount Rainier and Mount Hood. Rock mass and shear strength for fresh and hydrothermally altered rocks were obtained by 1) utilizing rock strength and structural information obtained from field studies and 2) applying rock mechanics techniques common in mining and civil engineering to the edifice region. Rock mass and intact rock strength differences greatly in excess of one order of magnitude were obtained when comparing strength behavior of fresh and completely altered volcanic rock. The recognition and determination of marked strength differences existing on the volcano edifice and flank, when combined with detailed geologic mapping, can be used to quantify volcano stability assessment and improve hazard mitigation efforts.     

Probabilistic correlation between laboratory and field liquefaction potentials using relative state parameter index (ξR)

Cyclic triaxial tests on reconstituted sand samples are broadly employed in practice while they ignore the inherent characteristics of soil in field condition such as aging, fabric, and prior strain history. Relative state parameter index, ξ_R, is utilized in a probabilistic framework to adjust the cyclic triaxial resistance ratio of sands at 15 uniform cycles (CRR_tx,15) to field condition. A wide-ranging database containing the results of cyclic triaxial tests conducted on reconstituted samples has been compiled to derive a correlation between relative state parameter index (ξ_R) and triaxial cyclic resistance ratio. The adjustment coefficients proposed by researchers are employed to correct CRR_tx,15−ξ_R relationship for actual field condition. The adjusted CRR_tx,15−ξ_R relationships are applied to a database of field liquefaction case histories composed of both SPT and CPT based data and their performances in field condition are evaluated. It is demonstrated that constant triaxial-to-field adjusting coefficients cannot ever predict conservative results. Logistic regression method is employed to derive a field probabilistic criterion that obtains the likelihood of liquefaction initiation in terms of ξ_R. The ξ_R-based boundary curve standing for 20% likelihood of liquefaction initiation is found to be the most conservative limit state boundary to be used in field conditions. Finally, the triaxial and field CRR−ξ_R relationships are composed and a probabilistic triaxial-to-field adjustment coefficient is proposed in terms of ξ_R and a given liquefaction probability. It is anticipated that the proposed relationship could reasonably correct the results of cyclic triaxial testing on freshly reconstituted sand samples.     

Influence of cyclic loading history on small strain shear modulus of saturated clays

Small strain shear modulus G_max is an essential parameter in soil dynamics, and it is usually estimated based on the Hardin and Richart equation. However, many previous researches on sands have indicated that the Hardin and Richart equation does not consider the influences of cyclic loading history on G_max. In this paper, effects of cyclic loading history on G_max of saturated clays under undrained conditions are studied using a combination device of piezoelectric-ceramic bender element system and cyclic triaxial apparatus. The dynamic pre-loading includes both relatively high amplitudes of cyclic stresses and cyclic strains. G_max without cyclic loading history is also investigated for the comparison purpose. Test results show that, at the same effective stress, both cyclic strain history and cyclic stress history will induce reduction of G_max compared to the corresponding G_max values with non-cyclic loading effects. In strain-controlled tests, the reduction of G_max is slight and relatively stable; while in stress-controlled tests, the reduction of G_max increases suddenly and remarkably when the effective stresses degrade to a certain degree. The comparison between double amplitude axial strain and residual excess pore water pressure behaviors show that the remarkable reduction of G_max can demonstrate the cyclic failure of saturated clays.     

Brittle crack growth in rocks

Fracture phenomena in rocks are associated with mainly mode I crack growth, sometimes superposed by shear or torsion. The present paper contributes to a fracture mechanics analysis of mode I and mixed mode crack propagation, by presenting reliable fracture toughness data for some rocks which include the effect of induced crack propagation rate, and the influence of effective pressure, and by numerical calculations on fracture propagation in layered rock formations. Empirical relations between fracture toughness,K _Ic' and induced crack opening displacement rate, as well as effective pressure, are given. The observedK _Ic pressure relation supports a theoretical model which takes into account the existence of microcracks in the crack tip region. Finite element calculations of fracture propagation in layered rock formations demonstrate the important effect of mixed mode crack growth. The numerical approach is particularly applied to single crack growth in hydraulic fracturing and in three point bending tests on layered single edge crack specimens.     

Small-strain dynamic characterization of clayey soil from the Texcoco Lake,Mexico

The area occupied by the former Texcoco Lake was part of a system of lakes inside the Basin of Mexico. The subsoil there has been studied in the past but there is still a need for more and more thorough investigations into the dynamic properties of its highly compressible clays. This paper describes the results of an experimental laboratory research in which a triaxial cell fitted with bender elements was used to measure shear wave velocities (V_s) in clay specimens from the former Texcoco Lake. Soil specimens were subjected to isotropic loading–unloading cycles and values of V_s were determined during the saturation stage and after each stress increment or decrement. Our results show that irrespective of the testing method, shear waves velocities differ in no more than 7–15%.     

Experimental study on strain field evolution around a simulated thrust fault

Earthquakes result from continuous geodynamic processes. A topic of significant interest for the scientific community is to elaborate on the phenomena governing the faulting and fracturing of crustal rocks. Therefore, in this study, uniaxial compressive shear failure experiments were conducted on Fangshan marble rock samples with a prefabricated slot to simulate thrust faulting. The center of each marble plate (105 mm × 80 mm × 5 mm) was engraved with a 30-mm long double-sided nonpenetrating slot (depth: 2 mm, width: 0.5 mm). The deformation and destruction processes of the rock surface were recorded using a high-speed camera. The digital image correlation method was used to calculate the displacement and strain distribution and variation at different loading stages. The accumulative and incremental displacement fields u and v , strain field e_x and e_y, and shear strain e_xy were analyzed. When the loading level reached its ultimate value, the strain field was concentrated around the prefabricated slot. The concentration reached a maximum at the ends of the prefabricated slot. The magnitude of shear strain reached 0.1. This experiment contributes to our understanding of the dynamic process of active faulting.     

岩石的塑性成分对失稳型式的影响

石英岩、花岗岩、花岗闪长岩、辉长岩和玄武岩在室温、固体围压(最大0.7GPa)下所进行的三轴压缩试验表明,岩石的塑性成分含量对突发失稳应力降没有明显影响,但影响岩石的失稳型式。塑性成分条件是突发失稳和强震的必要条件之一,只有当塑性成分不超过某种限度时,才可能发生突发失稳和强震。文中初步地建立了塑性成分条件的定量判据