Acoustic emissions associated with the formation of fracture sets in sandstone under polyaxial stress conditions‡

A polyaxial (true‐triaxial) stress‐loading system, developed originally for determining all nine components of P‐ and S‐wave velocities and attenuation and fluid permeability for 50.8 mm‐side cubic rock specimens tested to failure, has been modified to permit the measurement of acoustic emission events associated with the failure process. Results are reported for Crosland Hill sandstone tested to failure under loading conditions leading to the formation of sets of aligned microcracks, achieved by maintaining the minor principal stress at a low value while increasing the two other principal stresses until failure of the rock. An ultrasonic survey associated with the test has been employed to map the transversely‐isotropic velocity structure created by through‐going parallel fractures resulting from the sets of aligned microcracks. This velocity structure has then been employed to locate acoustic emission events recorded during the test by four acoustic emission sensors located in each of the six specimen loading platens. A selection of acoustic emission events associated with one of the fractures has been processed for moment tensor analysis information, in order to determine the source type and orientation of microcracking as the fracture grows. The mechanisms indicate tensile behaviour during initial fracture propagation. Shear failure, however, appears to dominate as the fracture finally approaches the opposite face of the cubic specimen. The work presented here has, in part, led to the development of new rock testing systems and geophysical monitoring and processing technologies that will enable laboratory study of rock behaviour under conditions better resembling those experienced in situ.