The stress-strain behavior of calcareous sand is significantly influencedby particle breakage(B)and initial relative density(Dri),but few constitutive models consider their combined effects.To bridge this gap,we condu...The stress-strain behavior of calcareous sand is significantly influencedby particle breakage(B)and initial relative density(Dri),but few constitutive models consider their combined effects.To bridge this gap,we conducted a series of triaxial tests on calcareous sand with varying Dri and stress paths,examining particle breakage and critical state behavior.Key findingsinclude:(1)At a constant stress ratio(η),B follows a hyperbolic relationship with mean effective stress(p'),and for a given p',B increases proportionally withη;(2)The critical state line(CSL)moves downward with increasing Dri,whereas the critical state friction angle(φcs)decreases with increasing B.Based on these findings,we propose a unifiedbreakage evolution model to quantify particle breakage in calcareous sand under various loading conditions.Integrating this model with the Normal Consolidation Line(NCL)and CSL equations,we successfully simulate the steepening of NCL and CSL slopes as B increases with the onset of particle breakage.Furthermore,we quantitatively evaluate the effect of B onφcs.Finally,within the framework of Critical State Soil Mechanics and Hypoplasticity theory,we develop a hypoplastic model incorporating B and Dri.The model is validated through strong agreement with experimental results across various initial relative densities,stress paths and drainage conditions.展开更多
High geo-stress and high temperature in deep rock engineering increase the possibility of engineering and geological disasters in discontinuous rocks.However,the influence of thermomechanical coupling on the shear beh...High geo-stress and high temperature in deep rock engineering increase the possibility of engineering and geological disasters in discontinuous rocks.However,the influence of thermomechanical coupling on the shear behavior and damage evolution of prefractured granite remains immature.In this context,true triaxial laboratory tests and discrete element method simulations under different confining pressures(σ3=3 MPa,σ2=4 MPa,andσ3=80 MPa,σ2=100 MPa)and temperatures(25℃-500℃)were carried out on rough granite fractures with two different orientations.Results indicate that high temperature and high confining pressure increase the peak strength of the prefractured specimen,leading to more microcracks in the host rock and more gouges between the surfaces.Thermal strengthening at low temperatures(<300℃)and residual stick-slip only occur under a greater confining pressure for prefractured specimens.High confining pressure suppresses generation of the thermal microcracks in the heating stage.Cracks first initiate in the asperities on the fracture surfaces,and then propagate into the rock matrix during the mechanical loading stage.In addition,prefractured granite with a larger fracture angle is characterized by smaller peak and residual strength,faster residual slip,fewer new cracks on the specimen surface,and a more pronounced thermal strengthening effect on peak strength.The slip tendency analysis indicates that a higher maximum principal stress(s1)and a large fracture angle(45°-75°)generally result in a higher potential for fracture slip or activation.This study will contribute to a better understanding of the fracture shear mechanism under true triaxial thermomechanical coupling conditions and provides new insights into the stability evaluation of deep dynamic geological hazards.展开更多
Geomechanical properties of rocks vary across different measurement scales,primarily due to heterogeneity.Micro-scale geomechanical tests,including micro-scale“scratch tests”and nano-scale nanoindentation tests,are ...Geomechanical properties of rocks vary across different measurement scales,primarily due to heterogeneity.Micro-scale geomechanical tests,including micro-scale“scratch tests”and nano-scale nanoindentation tests,are attractive at different scales.Each method requires minimal sample volume,is low cost,and includes a relatively rapid measurement turnaround time.However,recent micro-scale test results–including scratch test results and nanoindentation results–exhibit tangible variance and uncertainty,suggesting a need to correlate mineral composition mapping to elastic modulus mapping to isolate the relative impact of specific minerals.Different research labs often utilize different interpretation methods,and it is clear that future micro-mechanical tests may benefit from standardized testing and interpretation procedures.The objectives of this study are to seek options for standardized testing and interpretation procedures,through two specific objectives:(1)Quantify chemical and physical controls on micro-mechanical properties and(2)Quantify the source of uncertainties associated with nanoindentation measurements.To reach these goals,we conducted mechanical tests on three different scales:triaxial compression tests,scratch tests,and nanoindentation tests.We found that mineral phase weight percentage is highly correlated with nanoindentation elastic modulus distribution.Finally,we conclude that nanoindentation testing is a mineralogy and microstructure-based method and generally yields significant uncertainty and overestimation.The uncertainty of the testing method is largely associated with not mapping pore space a priori.Lastly,the uncertainty can be reduced by combining phase mapping and modulus mapping with substantial and random data sampling.展开更多
Triaxial testing serves as a fundamental method for evaluating the elastic and strength properties of rocks,crucial for developing accurate 3D geomechanical models.This paper presents a novel method for determining st...Triaxial testing serves as a fundamental method for evaluating the elastic and strength properties of rocks,crucial for developing accurate 3D geomechanical models.This paper presents a novel method for determining strength parameters by incorporating the dependence of uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)on P-wave velocity into the Hoek-Brown criterion.Additionally,a new approach is introduced to process triaxial test data efficiently using Python libraries such as SciPy,NumPy,Matplotlib,and Pandas.Furthermore,the paper addresses challenges in determining elastic parameters through triaxial testing.A Python script is developed to automate the calculation of elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio,over-coming subjectivity in selecting the linear portion of stress-strain curves.The script optimally identifies the linear region by minimizing the fit error with appropriate constraints,ensuring a more objective and standardized approach.The proposed methodologies are demonstrated using limestone specimens from Central Asian gas fields.These innovations offer faster,more reliable results,reducing error and enhancing the comparability of analyses in geomechanics,with potential applications across various geological settings.展开更多
Triaxial tests,a staple in rock engineering,are labor-intensive,sample-demanding,and costly,making their optimization highly advantageous.These tests are essential for characterizing rock strength,and by adopting a fa...Triaxial tests,a staple in rock engineering,are labor-intensive,sample-demanding,and costly,making their optimization highly advantageous.These tests are essential for characterizing rock strength,and by adopting a failure criterion,they allow for the derivation of criterion parameters through regression,facilitating their integration into modeling programs.In this study,we introduce the application of an underutilized statistical technique—orthogonal regression—well-suited for analyzing triaxial test data.Additionally,we present an innovation in this technique by minimizing the Euclidean distance while incorporating orthogonality between vectors as a constraint,for the case of orthogonal linear regression.Also,we consider the Modified Least Squares method.We exemplify this approach by developing the necessary equations to apply the Mohr-Coulomb,Murrell,Hoek-Brown,andÚcar criteria,and implement these equations in both spreadsheet calculations and R scripts.Finally,we demonstrate the technique's application using five datasets of varied lithologies from specialized literature,showcasing its versatility and effectiveness.展开更多
Microstructural heterogeneity of low-permeability sandstone roofs of deep unmineable coal seams due to diagenesis significantly affects rock mechanical behavior,greatly impacting the sealing potential of in situ CO_(2...Microstructural heterogeneity of low-permeability sandstone roofs of deep unmineable coal seams due to diagenesis significantly affects rock mechanical behavior,greatly impacting the sealing potential of in situ CO_(2) sequestration and the structural stability of the geological formation.However,little is known about how the microstructure of different mineral groups influences the multiscale mechanical behavior of deep sandstone.This study proposes a new method for quantitatively characterizing the multiscale mechanical properties of low-permeability sandstone and shows the mechanisms responsible for mechanical failure at the micro-,meso-,and macroscale.Triaxial compression tests and targeted nanoindentation tests were conducted to assess the micro-and macroscale mechanical properties of different types of sandstone.The micro-and macroscale experiments were coupled with numerical simulations of compression using a unified cohesive model based on Voronoi polygons to clarify the multiscale mechanical behavior.The results indicate that quartz,the primary mineral component of the sandstones examined,exhibits the strongest micromechanical properties,followed by feldspar,calcite,and clay minerals.Compared to polycrystalline quartz,monocrystalline quartz has a more stable microstructure and is mechanically stronger.The macro-mechanical properties of tight sandstone samples are weakened by increased microstructural inhomogeneity and larger grain size.This leads to a higher likelihood of splitting damage,characterized by a high degree of discrete and weak stress sensitivity.The major conclusion is that the positive rhythm lithofacies of medium-grained sandstone to siltstone are the most favorable for efficient CO_(2) sequestration in deep unmineable coal seams.展开更多
This paper presents a new criterion for determining the unloading points quantitatively and consistently in a multi-stage triaxial test.The radial strain gradient(RSG)is first introduced as an arc tangent function of ...This paper presents a new criterion for determining the unloading points quantitatively and consistently in a multi-stage triaxial test.The radial strain gradient(RSG)is first introduced as an arc tangent function of the rate of change of radial strain to time.RSG is observed to correlate closely with the stress state of a compressed sample,and reaches a horizontal asymptote as approaching failure.For a given rock type,RSG value at peak stress is almost the same,irrespective of the porosity and permeability.These findings lead to the development of RSG criterion:Unloading points can be precisely determined at the time when RSG reaches a pre-determined value that is a little smaller than or equal to the RSG at peak stress.The RSG criterion is validated against other criteria and the single-stage triaxial test on various types of rocks.Failure envelopes from the RSG criterion match well with those from single-stage tests.A practical procedure is recommended to use the RSG criterion:an unconfined compression or single-stage test is first conducted to determine the RSG at peak stress for one sample,the unloading point is then selected to be a value close to the RSG at peak stress,and the multi-stage test is finally performed on another sample using the pre-selected RSG unloading criterion.Generally,the RSG criterion is applicable for any type of rocks,especially brittle rocks,where other criteria are not suitable.Further,it can be practically implemented on the most available rock mechanical testing instruments.展开更多
This study presents an in-depth investigation into the shear strength characteristics of unsaturated soils,focusing on the influenceof shear rate and initial water saturation(S_(r0)).Utilizing the drained-vented(DV)tr...This study presents an in-depth investigation into the shear strength characteristics of unsaturated soils,focusing on the influenceof shear rate and initial water saturation(S_(r0)).Utilizing the drained-vented(DV)triaxial test method,the present study investigated the shear strength behavior of silty clay under various shear rates and water saturation levels,and compared the outcomes with traditional suction-controlled(SC)and constant water content(CW)tests.The findingshighlight the pivotal role of excess pore water pressure dissipation during shearing,which significantlyaffects the shear strength of both saturated and unsaturated soils.Notably,for soils with high initial water saturation,a decrease in shear strength is observed with an increase in shear rate,which is attributed to the rise in pore water pressure.Conversely,for soils with low initial water saturation,the shear rate exhibits minimal impact on shear strength due to negligible water drainage.The research delineates the optimal shear rates for DV tests based on the initial water saturation:a slower rate of 0.0028 mm/min for samples with high water saturation(S_(r0)>66%)and a faster rate of 0.8 mm/min for samples with low water saturation(S_(r0)≤66%).A novel testing methodology for determining unsaturated soil shear strength under DV conditions is introduced,streamlining the measurement process and significantly reducing testing time.This method not only promises substantial cost savings but also aligns closely with natural engineering conditions,offering valuable guidance for geotechnical applications.展开更多
After the excavation of deep mining tunnels and underground caverns,the stability of surrounding rock controlled by structural planes is prone to structural damage and even engineering disasters due to three-dimension...After the excavation of deep mining tunnels and underground caverns,the stability of surrounding rock controlled by structural planes is prone to structural damage and even engineering disasters due to three-dimensional stress redistribution and multi-directional dynamic construction interference.However,the shear mechanical behavior,fracture evolution mechanism and precursor characteristics of rockmass under true triaxial stress and multi-directional coupling disturbance are not unclear.Therefore,this study carried out true triaxial shear tests on limestone intermittent structural planes under uni-,bi-and tri-directional coupling disturbances to analyze its mechanical behavior,fracture evolution mechanism and precursor characteristics.The results show that as the disturbance direction increase,the shear strength of limestone generally decreases,while the roughness of structural planes and the degree of anisotropy generally exhibit an increasing trend.The proportion of shear cracks on the structural plane increases with the increase of shear stress.The disturbance strain rate before failure shows a U-shaped trend.Near to disturbance failure,there were more high-energy and high-amplitude acoustic emission events near the structural plane,and b-value drops rapidly below 1,while lgN/b ratio increased to above 3.These findings provide experimental recognition and theoretical support for assessing the stability of rockmass under blasting excavation.展开更多
Both the repeated triaxial test （RTT） and the Hamburg wheel tracking test （HWTT） are adopted to evaluate the high temperature performance of the stone mastic asphalt （SMA） and the mastic asphalt （MA）. The corr...Both the repeated triaxial test （RTT） and the Hamburg wheel tracking test （HWTT） are adopted to evaluate the high temperature performance of the stone mastic asphalt （SMA） and the mastic asphalt （MA）. The correlation of the permanent deformations of the MA and the correlation of the deformation developments of the SMA between the two tests are analyzed, respectively. Results show that both the two tests can effectively identify the high temperature performance of mixtures, and the correlation between the final results of the two tests as well as that between the deformation developments of the two tests are excellent with R20.9. In order to further prove the correlation, viscoelastic parameters estimated from the RTT results is used to simulate the rutting development in the HWTT slabs by the finite element method （FEM）. Results indicate that the correlation between the two tests is significant with errors less than 10%. It is suitable to predict the rutting development with the viscoelastic parameters obtained from the RTT.展开更多
The lithology of fracture zone which was developed at the dam foundation of a hydropower station is weak sandstone with poor integrity and pore cementation contact.Its creep properties have a significant impact on the...The lithology of fracture zone which was developed at the dam foundation of a hydropower station is weak sandstone with poor integrity and pore cementation contact.Its creep properties have a significant impact on the deformation and stability of the dam.Based on the characteristics of loose organizational structure,high moisture content and poor mechanical properties,the triaxial compression tests and creep tests were carried out,respectively.The results show significant non-linear,low strength and no obvious strength peaks.Both axial and lateral strains are achieved more than 3%when the tests are failed.The weak sandstone has a significant creep property,but only transient and steady state appear under low stress.Increased stress causes creep intensified and lateral strain gradually exceeds axial strain.In the failure stage,it has characteristics of large axial plastic deformation,obvious volumetric ductility dilation and large steady creep rate.The accelerated creep appears shortly after transient loading under confining of pressures 1.0 MPa and 1.5 MPa.Therefore,an improved Burgers creep model considering the non-linear characteristics of weak sandstone is built based on hyperbolic equation and the creep parameters are identified.This model can well describe the creep properties of weak sandstone.展开更多
The mechanical behavior of plastic concrete used in the cut-off walls of earth dams has been studied. Triaxial compression tests on the specimens in various ages and mix designs under different confining pressures hav...The mechanical behavior of plastic concrete used in the cut-off walls of earth dams has been studied. Triaxial compression tests on the specimens in various ages and mix designs under different confining pressures have been done and the stress-strain behavior of such materials and their strength parameter changes have been experimentally investigated. It has been observed that increasing the confining pressures applied on the specimens causes the material behavior to be alike the more ductile materials and the compressive strength increases considerably as well. Moreover, a parametric study has been carded out to investigate the influence of essential parameters on the shear strength parameters of these materials. According to the research, increasing the coarse to fine aggregates ratio leads to the increase of compressive strength of the specimens as well as the increase of the cohesion and internal friction angle of the materials. Furthermore, the bentonite content decrease and the cement factor increase result in an increase of the cohesion parameter of plastic concretes and decrease of the internal friction angle of such materials.展开更多
In order to study the rheological properties of red stone granular soil,a series of rheological experiments were executed on large tri-axial rheological apparatus.Under 100,200 and 300 kPa confining stress conditions,...In order to study the rheological properties of red stone granular soil,a series of rheological experiments were executed on large tri-axial rheological apparatus.Under 100,200 and 300 kPa confining stress conditions,the rheological tests were carried out.These experiment results showed that the stress conditions,especially the stress level were the critical influencing factors of the rheological deformation properties.Under the low stress level(S=0.1),the granular soil showed the elastic properties,and there was no obvious rheological deformation.Under the middle stress level(0.2<S≤0.6),creep curves showed the linear viscoelastic rheological properties.However,under the high stress level(S>0.8) creep curves showed the non-linear viscous plastic rheological properties.Especially,under the stress level of S=1.0,the accelerated rheological phase of creep curves occurred at early time with a trend of failure.The stress level had obvious effects on the final rheological deformation of the soil sample,and the final rheological deformation increments nonlinearly increased with stress level.The final rheological deformation increment and step was little under low stress level,while it became large under high stress level,which showed the nonlinearly rheological properties of the granular soil.The confining pressure also had direct effects on final rheological deformation,and the final rheological deformation linearly increased with confining pressure increments.展开更多
In order to investigate the influence of intermediate principal stress on the stress-strain and strength behaviour of a coarse-grained soil, a series of true triaxial tests were performed. The tests were conducted in ...In order to investigate the influence of intermediate principal stress on the stress-strain and strength behaviour of a coarse-grained soil, a series of true triaxial tests were performed. The tests were conducted in a recently developed true triaxial apparatus with constant minor principal stress σ3 and constant value of intermediate principal stress ratio b=（σ2-σ3）/（σ1-σ3） （al is the vertical stress, and % is the horizontal stress）. It is found that the intermediate principal strain, ε2, increases from negative to positive value with the increase of parameter b from zero to unity under a constant minor principal stress. The minor principal strain, ε3, is always negative. This implies that the specimen exhibits an evident anisotropy. The relationship between b and friction angle obtained from the tests is different from that predicted by LADE-DUNCAN and MATSUOKA-NAKAI criteria. Based on the test results, an empirical equation of g（b） that is the shape function of the failure surface on re-plane was presented. The proposed equation is verified to be reasonable by comparing the predicted results using the equation with true triaxial test results of soils, such as coarse-grained soils in this study, sands and gravels in other studies.展开更多
Triaxial creep tests were carried out under seepage pressure by using rock servo-controlled triaxial rheology testing equipment. Based on experimental results, rock rheological properties influenced by seepage-stress ...Triaxial creep tests were carried out under seepage pressure by using rock servo-controlled triaxial rheology testing equipment. Based on experimental results, rock rheological properties influenced by seepage-stress coupling were studied, and variations of seepage rate with time in complete creep processes of rock were analyzed. It is shown that, when the applied stress is less than failure stress level, the creep deformation is not obvious, and its main form is steady-state creep. When applied stress level is greater than or less than but close to fracture stress, it is easier to see the increase of creep deformation and the more obvious accelerative creep characteristics. The circumferential creep deformation is obviously higher than the axial creep deformation. At the stage of steady-state creep, the average of seepage flow rate is about 4.7×10-9 rn/s at confining pressure （tr3） of 2 MPa, and is about 3.9×10-9 m/s at a3 of 6 MPa. It is seen that the seepage flow rate at or3 of 2 MPa in this case is obviously larger than that at tr3 of 6 MPa. At the stage of creep acceleration, the seepage flow rate is markedly increased with the increase of time. The variation of rock permeability is directly connected to the growth and evolution of creep crack. It is suggested that the permeability coefficient in complete creep processes of rock is not a constant, but is a function of rock creep strain, confining pressure, damage variable and pore water pressure. The results can be considered to provide a reliable reference for the establishment of rock rheological model and parameter identification.展开更多
In deep geological disposal of high-level nuclear waste,one of the most important subjects is to estimate long-term stability and strength of host rock under high temperature conditions caused by radioactive decay of ...In deep geological disposal of high-level nuclear waste,one of the most important subjects is to estimate long-term stability and strength of host rock under high temperature conditions caused by radioactive decay of the waste.In this paper,some experimental researches on the thermo-mechanical characteristics of soft sedimentary rock have been presented.For this reason,a new temperature-controlled triaxial compression and creep test device,operated automatically by a computer-controlled system,whose control software has been developed by the authors,was developed to conduct the thermo-mechanical tests in different thermal loading paths,including an isothermal path.The new device is proved to be able to conduct typical thermo-mechanical element tests for soft rock.The test device and the related testing method were introduced in detail.Finally,some test results have been simulated with a thermo-elasto-viscoplastic model that was also developed by the authors.展开更多
The shear strength parameters for geotechnical designs are obtained mainly from consolidated drained （CD） or consolidated undrained （CU） triaxial tests. However, during construction, the excess pore-air pressure g...The shear strength parameters for geotechnical designs are obtained mainly from consolidated drained （CD） or consolidated undrained （CU） triaxial tests. However, during construction, the excess pore-air pressure generally dissipates instantaneously while the excess pore-water pressure dissipates with time. This condition needs to be simulated in a constant water content （CW） triaxial test. The study on Yunnan red clay is carried out to investigate the soil-water characteristics and the shear strength characteristics under the constant water content condition. Osmotic technique is used to obtain the soil-water characteristic curve. A series of CW triaxial tests are conducted on statically compacted specimens. The experimental results show that the soil-water characteristic curve has a low air entry value of 7 kPa due to large pores in non-uniform pore size distribution, and a high residual value exceeding 10 MPa. In addition, the initial degree of saturation and net confining stress play an important role in affecting the shear characteristics under the constant water content condition. Finally, a new semi-empirical shear strength model in terms of degree of saturation is proposed and then applied to Yuunan red clay. Simulation result shows that the model is capable of capturing some key features of soils. The model can be used in whole engineering practice range, covering both unsaturmed and saturated soils.展开更多
Most studies on liquefaction have addressed homogeneous soil strata using sand or sand with fine content without considering soil stratification.In this study,cyclic triaxial tests were conducted on the stratified san...Most studies on liquefaction have addressed homogeneous soil strata using sand or sand with fine content without considering soil stratification.In this study,cyclic triaxial tests were conducted on the stratified sand specimens embedded with the silt layers to investigate the liquefaction failures and void-redistribution at confining stress of 100 kPa under stress-controlled mode.The loosening of underlying sand mass and hindrance to pore-water flow caused localized bulging at the sand-silt interface.It is observed that at a silt thickness of 0.2H(H is the height of the specimen),nearly 187 load cycles were required to attain liquefaction,which was the highest among all the silt thicknesses with a single silt layer.Therefore,0.2H is assumed as the optimum silt thickness(t_(opt)).The silt was placed at the top,middle and bottom of the specimen to understand the effect of silt layer location.Due to the increase in depth of the silt layer from the top position(capped soil state)to the bottom,the cycles to reach liquefaction(N_(cyc,L))increased 2.18 times.Also,when the number of silt layers increased from single to triple,there was an increase of about 880%in N_(cyc,L).The micro-characterization analysis of the soil specimens indicated silty materials transported in upper sections of the specimen due to the dissipated pore pressure.The main parameters,including thickness(t),location(z),cyclic stress ratio(CSR),number of silt layers(n)and modified relative density(D_(r,m)),performed significantly in governing the lique-faction resistance.For this,a multilinear regression model is developed based on critical parameters for prediction of N_(cyc,L).Furthermore,the developed constitutive model has been validated using the data from the present study and earlier findings.展开更多
Confining stresses serve as a pivotal determinant in shaping the behavior of grouted rock bolts.Nonetheless,prior investigations have oversimplified the three-dimensional stress state,primarily assuming hydrostatic st...Confining stresses serve as a pivotal determinant in shaping the behavior of grouted rock bolts.Nonetheless,prior investigations have oversimplified the three-dimensional stress state,primarily assuming hydrostatic stress conditions.Under these conditions,it is assumed that the intermediate principal stress(σ_(2))equals the minimum principal stress(σ_(3)).This assumption overlooks the potential variations in magnitudes of in situ stress conditions along all three directions near an underground opening where a rock bolt is installed.In this study,a series of push tests was meticulously conducted under triaxial conditions.These tests involved applying non-uniform confining stresses(σ_(2)≠σ_(3))to cubic specimens,aiming to unveil the previously overlooked influence of intermediate principal stresses on the strength properties of rock bolts.The results show that as the confining stresses increase from zero to higher levels,the pre-failure behavior changes from linear to nonlinear forms,resulting in an increase in initial stiffness from 2.08 kN/mm to 32.51 kN/mm.The load-displacement curves further illuminate distinct post-failure behavior at elevated levels of confining stresses,characterized by enhanced stiffness.Notably,the peak load capacity ranged from 27.9 kN to 46.5 kN as confining stresses advanced from σ_(2)=σ_(3)=0 to σ_(2)=20 MPa and σ_(3)=10 MPa.Additionally,the outcomes highlight an influence of confining stress on the lateral deformation of samples.Lower levels of confinement prompt overall dilation in lateral deformation,while higher confinements maintain a state of shrinkage.Furthermore,diverse failure modes have been identified,intricately tied to the arrangement of confining stresses.Lower confinements tend to induce a splitting mode of failure,whereas higher loads bring about a shift towards a pure interfacial shear-off and shear-crushed failure mechanism.展开更多
In many engineering applications,it is important to determine both effective rock properties and the rock behavior which are representative for the problem’s in situ conditions.For this purpose,rock samples are usual...In many engineering applications,it is important to determine both effective rock properties and the rock behavior which are representative for the problem’s in situ conditions.For this purpose,rock samples are usually extracted from the ground and brought to the laboratory to perform laboratory experiments such as consolidated undrained(CU)triaxial tests.For low permeable geomaterials such as clay shales,core extraction,handling,storage,and specimen preparation can lead to a reduction in the degree of saturation and the effective stress state in the specimen prior to testing remains uncertain.Related changes in structure and the effect of capillary pressure can alter the properties of the specimen and affect the reliability of the test results.A careful testing procedure including back-saturation,consolidation and adequate shearing of the specimen,however,can overcome these issues.Although substantial effort has been devoted during the past decades to the establishment of a testing procedure for low permeable geomaterials,no consistent protocol can be found.With a special focus on CU tests on Opalinus Clay,this study gives a review of the theoretical concepts necessary for planning and validating the results during the individual testing stages(saturation,consolidation,and shearing).The discussed tests protocol is further applied to a series of specimens of Opalinus Clay to illustrate its applicability and highlight the key aspects.展开更多
基金support to this study from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,NSFC(Grant No.52278367)The Belt and Road Special Foundation of the National Key Laboratory ofWater Disaster Prevention(Grant No.2024nkms08).
文摘The stress-strain behavior of calcareous sand is significantly influencedby particle breakage(B)and initial relative density(Dri),but few constitutive models consider their combined effects.To bridge this gap,we conducted a series of triaxial tests on calcareous sand with varying Dri and stress paths,examining particle breakage and critical state behavior.Key findingsinclude:(1)At a constant stress ratio(η),B follows a hyperbolic relationship with mean effective stress(p'),and for a given p',B increases proportionally withη;(2)The critical state line(CSL)moves downward with increasing Dri,whereas the critical state friction angle(φcs)decreases with increasing B.Based on these findings,we propose a unifiedbreakage evolution model to quantify particle breakage in calcareous sand under various loading conditions.Integrating this model with the Normal Consolidation Line(NCL)and CSL equations,we successfully simulate the steepening of NCL and CSL slopes as B increases with the onset of particle breakage.Furthermore,we quantitatively evaluate the effect of B onφcs.Finally,within the framework of Critical State Soil Mechanics and Hypoplasticity theory,we develop a hypoplastic model incorporating B and Dri.The model is validated through strong agreement with experimental results across various initial relative densities,stress paths and drainage conditions.
基金support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2022YFE0137200)supported by the Taishan Scholars Program and Open Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Safety(Grant No.SKLGME023003).
文摘High geo-stress and high temperature in deep rock engineering increase the possibility of engineering and geological disasters in discontinuous rocks.However,the influence of thermomechanical coupling on the shear behavior and damage evolution of prefractured granite remains immature.In this context,true triaxial laboratory tests and discrete element method simulations under different confining pressures(σ3=3 MPa,σ2=4 MPa,andσ3=80 MPa,σ2=100 MPa)and temperatures(25℃-500℃)were carried out on rough granite fractures with two different orientations.Results indicate that high temperature and high confining pressure increase the peak strength of the prefractured specimen,leading to more microcracks in the host rock and more gouges between the surfaces.Thermal strengthening at low temperatures(<300℃)and residual stick-slip only occur under a greater confining pressure for prefractured specimens.High confining pressure suppresses generation of the thermal microcracks in the heating stage.Cracks first initiate in the asperities on the fracture surfaces,and then propagate into the rock matrix during the mechanical loading stage.In addition,prefractured granite with a larger fracture angle is characterized by smaller peak and residual strength,faster residual slip,fewer new cracks on the specimen surface,and a more pronounced thermal strengthening effect on peak strength.The slip tendency analysis indicates that a higher maximum principal stress(s1)and a large fracture angle(45°-75°)generally result in a higher potential for fracture slip or activation.This study will contribute to a better understanding of the fracture shear mechanism under true triaxial thermomechanical coupling conditions and provides new insights into the stability evaluation of deep dynamic geological hazards.
基金support of this project through the Southwest Regional Partnership on Carbon Sequestration(Grant No.DE-FC26-05NT42591)Improving Production in the Emerging Paradox Oil Play(Grant No.DE-FE0031775).
文摘Geomechanical properties of rocks vary across different measurement scales,primarily due to heterogeneity.Micro-scale geomechanical tests,including micro-scale“scratch tests”and nano-scale nanoindentation tests,are attractive at different scales.Each method requires minimal sample volume,is low cost,and includes a relatively rapid measurement turnaround time.However,recent micro-scale test results–including scratch test results and nanoindentation results–exhibit tangible variance and uncertainty,suggesting a need to correlate mineral composition mapping to elastic modulus mapping to isolate the relative impact of specific minerals.Different research labs often utilize different interpretation methods,and it is clear that future micro-mechanical tests may benefit from standardized testing and interpretation procedures.The objectives of this study are to seek options for standardized testing and interpretation procedures,through two specific objectives:(1)Quantify chemical and physical controls on micro-mechanical properties and(2)Quantify the source of uncertainties associated with nanoindentation measurements.To reach these goals,we conducted mechanical tests on three different scales:triaxial compression tests,scratch tests,and nanoindentation tests.We found that mineral phase weight percentage is highly correlated with nanoindentation elastic modulus distribution.Finally,we conclude that nanoindentation testing is a mineralogy and microstructure-based method and generally yields significant uncertainty and overestimation.The uncertainty of the testing method is largely associated with not mapping pore space a priori.Lastly,the uncertainty can be reduced by combining phase mapping and modulus mapping with substantial and random data sampling.
文摘Triaxial testing serves as a fundamental method for evaluating the elastic and strength properties of rocks,crucial for developing accurate 3D geomechanical models.This paper presents a novel method for determining strength parameters by incorporating the dependence of uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)on P-wave velocity into the Hoek-Brown criterion.Additionally,a new approach is introduced to process triaxial test data efficiently using Python libraries such as SciPy,NumPy,Matplotlib,and Pandas.Furthermore,the paper addresses challenges in determining elastic parameters through triaxial testing.A Python script is developed to automate the calculation of elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio,over-coming subjectivity in selecting the linear portion of stress-strain curves.The script optimally identifies the linear region by minimizing the fit error with appropriate constraints,ensuring a more objective and standardized approach.The proposed methodologies are demonstrated using limestone specimens from Central Asian gas fields.These innovations offer faster,more reliable results,reducing error and enhancing the comparability of analyses in geomechanics,with potential applications across various geological settings.
文摘Triaxial tests,a staple in rock engineering,are labor-intensive,sample-demanding,and costly,making their optimization highly advantageous.These tests are essential for characterizing rock strength,and by adopting a failure criterion,they allow for the derivation of criterion parameters through regression,facilitating their integration into modeling programs.In this study,we introduce the application of an underutilized statistical technique—orthogonal regression—well-suited for analyzing triaxial test data.Additionally,we present an innovation in this technique by minimizing the Euclidean distance while incorporating orthogonality between vectors as a constraint,for the case of orthogonal linear regression.Also,we consider the Modified Least Squares method.We exemplify this approach by developing the necessary equations to apply the Mohr-Coulomb,Murrell,Hoek-Brown,andÚcar criteria,and implement these equations in both spreadsheet calculations and R scripts.Finally,we demonstrate the technique's application using five datasets of varied lithologies from specialized literature,showcasing its versatility and effectiveness.
基金supported by the project from the Exploration and Development Research Institute of PetroChina Daqing Oilfield Companyfinancial support from the research by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42402148)+1 种基金Sichuan Provincial Fund(24NSFSC4997)Guizhou Outstanding Young Science and Technology Talent Program(YQK[2023]012).
文摘Microstructural heterogeneity of low-permeability sandstone roofs of deep unmineable coal seams due to diagenesis significantly affects rock mechanical behavior,greatly impacting the sealing potential of in situ CO_(2) sequestration and the structural stability of the geological formation.However,little is known about how the microstructure of different mineral groups influences the multiscale mechanical behavior of deep sandstone.This study proposes a new method for quantitatively characterizing the multiscale mechanical properties of low-permeability sandstone and shows the mechanisms responsible for mechanical failure at the micro-,meso-,and macroscale.Triaxial compression tests and targeted nanoindentation tests were conducted to assess the micro-and macroscale mechanical properties of different types of sandstone.The micro-and macroscale experiments were coupled with numerical simulations of compression using a unified cohesive model based on Voronoi polygons to clarify the multiscale mechanical behavior.The results indicate that quartz,the primary mineral component of the sandstones examined,exhibits the strongest micromechanical properties,followed by feldspar,calcite,and clay minerals.Compared to polycrystalline quartz,monocrystalline quartz has a more stable microstructure and is mechanically stronger.The macro-mechanical properties of tight sandstone samples are weakened by increased microstructural inhomogeneity and larger grain size.This leads to a higher likelihood of splitting damage,characterized by a high degree of discrete and weak stress sensitivity.The major conclusion is that the positive rhythm lithofacies of medium-grained sandstone to siltstone are the most favorable for efficient CO_(2) sequestration in deep unmineable coal seams.
文摘This paper presents a new criterion for determining the unloading points quantitatively and consistently in a multi-stage triaxial test.The radial strain gradient(RSG)is first introduced as an arc tangent function of the rate of change of radial strain to time.RSG is observed to correlate closely with the stress state of a compressed sample,and reaches a horizontal asymptote as approaching failure.For a given rock type,RSG value at peak stress is almost the same,irrespective of the porosity and permeability.These findings lead to the development of RSG criterion:Unloading points can be precisely determined at the time when RSG reaches a pre-determined value that is a little smaller than or equal to the RSG at peak stress.The RSG criterion is validated against other criteria and the single-stage triaxial test on various types of rocks.Failure envelopes from the RSG criterion match well with those from single-stage tests.A practical procedure is recommended to use the RSG criterion:an unconfined compression or single-stage test is first conducted to determine the RSG at peak stress for one sample,the unloading point is then selected to be a value close to the RSG at peak stress,and the multi-stage test is finally performed on another sample using the pre-selected RSG unloading criterion.Generally,the RSG criterion is applicable for any type of rocks,especially brittle rocks,where other criteria are not suitable.Further,it can be practically implemented on the most available rock mechanical testing instruments.
基金The authors are grateful for the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.8242017)。
文摘This study presents an in-depth investigation into the shear strength characteristics of unsaturated soils,focusing on the influenceof shear rate and initial water saturation(S_(r0)).Utilizing the drained-vented(DV)triaxial test method,the present study investigated the shear strength behavior of silty clay under various shear rates and water saturation levels,and compared the outcomes with traditional suction-controlled(SC)and constant water content(CW)tests.The findingshighlight the pivotal role of excess pore water pressure dissipation during shearing,which significantlyaffects the shear strength of both saturated and unsaturated soils.Notably,for soils with high initial water saturation,a decrease in shear strength is observed with an increase in shear rate,which is attributed to the rise in pore water pressure.Conversely,for soils with low initial water saturation,the shear rate exhibits minimal impact on shear strength due to negligible water drainage.The research delineates the optimal shear rates for DV tests based on the initial water saturation:a slower rate of 0.0028 mm/min for samples with high water saturation(S_(r0)>66%)and a faster rate of 0.8 mm/min for samples with low water saturation(S_(r0)≤66%).A novel testing methodology for determining unsaturated soil shear strength under DV conditions is introduced,streamlining the measurement process and significantly reducing testing time.This method not only promises substantial cost savings but also aligns closely with natural engineering conditions,offering valuable guidance for geotechnical applications.
基金support received from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52274145,52469019,and 52109119)the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation(No.2025GXNSFAA069165)the Chinese Postdoctoral Science Fund Project(No.2022M723408).
文摘After the excavation of deep mining tunnels and underground caverns,the stability of surrounding rock controlled by structural planes is prone to structural damage and even engineering disasters due to three-dimensional stress redistribution and multi-directional dynamic construction interference.However,the shear mechanical behavior,fracture evolution mechanism and precursor characteristics of rockmass under true triaxial stress and multi-directional coupling disturbance are not unclear.Therefore,this study carried out true triaxial shear tests on limestone intermittent structural planes under uni-,bi-and tri-directional coupling disturbances to analyze its mechanical behavior,fracture evolution mechanism and precursor characteristics.The results show that as the disturbance direction increase,the shear strength of limestone generally decreases,while the roughness of structural planes and the degree of anisotropy generally exhibit an increasing trend.The proportion of shear cracks on the structural plane increases with the increase of shear stress.The disturbance strain rate before failure shows a U-shaped trend.Near to disturbance failure,there were more high-energy and high-amplitude acoustic emission events near the structural plane,and b-value drops rapidly below 1,while lgN/b ratio increased to above 3.These findings provide experimental recognition and theoretical support for assessing the stability of rockmass under blasting excavation.
基金The Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars,State Education Ministry (No.6821001005)
文摘Both the repeated triaxial test （RTT） and the Hamburg wheel tracking test （HWTT） are adopted to evaluate the high temperature performance of the stone mastic asphalt （SMA） and the mastic asphalt （MA）. The correlation of the permanent deformations of the MA and the correlation of the deformation developments of the SMA between the two tests are analyzed, respectively. Results show that both the two tests can effectively identify the high temperature performance of mixtures, and the correlation between the final results of the two tests as well as that between the deformation developments of the two tests are excellent with R20.9. In order to further prove the correlation, viscoelastic parameters estimated from the RTT results is used to simulate the rutting development in the HWTT slabs by the finite element method （FEM）. Results indicate that the correlation between the two tests is significant with errors less than 10%. It is suitable to predict the rutting development with the viscoelastic parameters obtained from the RTT.
基金Project(2011CB013504)supported by the National Basic Research Program of ChinaProject(11172090)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘The lithology of fracture zone which was developed at the dam foundation of a hydropower station is weak sandstone with poor integrity and pore cementation contact.Its creep properties have a significant impact on the deformation and stability of the dam.Based on the characteristics of loose organizational structure,high moisture content and poor mechanical properties,the triaxial compression tests and creep tests were carried out,respectively.The results show significant non-linear,low strength and no obvious strength peaks.Both axial and lateral strains are achieved more than 3%when the tests are failed.The weak sandstone has a significant creep property,but only transient and steady state appear under low stress.Increased stress causes creep intensified and lateral strain gradually exceeds axial strain.In the failure stage,it has characteristics of large axial plastic deformation,obvious volumetric ductility dilation and large steady creep rate.The accelerated creep appears shortly after transient loading under confining of pressures 1.0 MPa and 1.5 MPa.Therefore,an improved Burgers creep model considering the non-linear characteristics of weak sandstone is built based on hyperbolic equation and the creep parameters are identified.This model can well describe the creep properties of weak sandstone.
文摘The mechanical behavior of plastic concrete used in the cut-off walls of earth dams has been studied. Triaxial compression tests on the specimens in various ages and mix designs under different confining pressures have been done and the stress-strain behavior of such materials and their strength parameter changes have been experimentally investigated. It has been observed that increasing the confining pressures applied on the specimens causes the material behavior to be alike the more ductile materials and the compressive strength increases considerably as well. Moreover, a parametric study has been carded out to investigate the influence of essential parameters on the shear strength parameters of these materials. According to the research, increasing the coarse to fine aggregates ratio leads to the increase of compressive strength of the specimens as well as the increase of the cohesion and internal friction angle of the materials. Furthermore, the bentonite content decrease and the cement factor increase result in an increase of the cohesion parameter of plastic concretes and decrease of the internal friction angle of such materials.
基金Project(200413) supported by Communication Science and Technology Fund of Hunan Province,China
文摘In order to study the rheological properties of red stone granular soil,a series of rheological experiments were executed on large tri-axial rheological apparatus.Under 100,200 and 300 kPa confining stress conditions,the rheological tests were carried out.These experiment results showed that the stress conditions,especially the stress level were the critical influencing factors of the rheological deformation properties.Under the low stress level(S=0.1),the granular soil showed the elastic properties,and there was no obvious rheological deformation.Under the middle stress level(0.2<S≤0.6),creep curves showed the linear viscoelastic rheological properties.However,under the high stress level(S>0.8) creep curves showed the non-linear viscous plastic rheological properties.Especially,under the stress level of S=1.0,the accelerated rheological phase of creep curves occurred at early time with a trend of failure.The stress level had obvious effects on the final rheological deformation of the soil sample,and the final rheological deformation increments nonlinearly increased with stress level.The final rheological deformation increment and step was little under low stress level,while it became large under high stress level,which showed the nonlinearly rheological properties of the granular soil.The confining pressure also had direct effects on final rheological deformation,and the final rheological deformation linearly increased with confining pressure increments.
基金Project(50639050) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Er-Tan Hydraulicpower Limited CompanyProject(50579014) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China+3 种基金Project(09KJD560003) supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of ChinaProject(BK2007582) supported by Jiangsu Provincial Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(20070294002) supported by the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of ChinaProject(GH200904) supported by Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Geomechanics and Embankment Engineering,Hohai University,China
文摘In order to investigate the influence of intermediate principal stress on the stress-strain and strength behaviour of a coarse-grained soil, a series of true triaxial tests were performed. The tests were conducted in a recently developed true triaxial apparatus with constant minor principal stress σ3 and constant value of intermediate principal stress ratio b=（σ2-σ3）/（σ1-σ3） （al is the vertical stress, and % is the horizontal stress）. It is found that the intermediate principal strain, ε2, increases from negative to positive value with the increase of parameter b from zero to unity under a constant minor principal stress. The minor principal strain, ε3, is always negative. This implies that the specimen exhibits an evident anisotropy. The relationship between b and friction angle obtained from the tests is different from that predicted by LADE-DUNCAN and MATSUOKA-NAKAI criteria. Based on the test results, an empirical equation of g（b） that is the shape function of the failure surface on re-plane was presented. The proposed equation is verified to be reasonable by comparing the predicted results using the equation with true triaxial test results of soils, such as coarse-grained soils in this study, sands and gravels in other studies.
基金Projects(11172090,51009052,51109069) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(2011CB013504) supported by the National Basic Research Program of China
文摘Triaxial creep tests were carried out under seepage pressure by using rock servo-controlled triaxial rheology testing equipment. Based on experimental results, rock rheological properties influenced by seepage-stress coupling were studied, and variations of seepage rate with time in complete creep processes of rock were analyzed. It is shown that, when the applied stress is less than failure stress level, the creep deformation is not obvious, and its main form is steady-state creep. When applied stress level is greater than or less than but close to fracture stress, it is easier to see the increase of creep deformation and the more obvious accelerative creep characteristics. The circumferential creep deformation is obviously higher than the axial creep deformation. At the stage of steady-state creep, the average of seepage flow rate is about 4.7×10-9 rn/s at confining pressure （tr3） of 2 MPa, and is about 3.9×10-9 m/s at a3 of 6 MPa. It is seen that the seepage flow rate at or3 of 2 MPa in this case is obviously larger than that at tr3 of 6 MPa. At the stage of creep acceleration, the seepage flow rate is markedly increased with the increase of time. The variation of rock permeability is directly connected to the growth and evolution of creep crack. It is suggested that the permeability coefficient in complete creep processes of rock is not a constant, but is a function of rock creep strain, confining pressure, damage variable and pore water pressure. The results can be considered to provide a reliable reference for the establishment of rock rheological model and parameter identification.
文摘In deep geological disposal of high-level nuclear waste,one of the most important subjects is to estimate long-term stability and strength of host rock under high temperature conditions caused by radioactive decay of the waste.In this paper,some experimental researches on the thermo-mechanical characteristics of soft sedimentary rock have been presented.For this reason,a new temperature-controlled triaxial compression and creep test device,operated automatically by a computer-controlled system,whose control software has been developed by the authors,was developed to conduct the thermo-mechanical tests in different thermal loading paths,including an isothermal path.The new device is proved to be able to conduct typical thermo-mechanical element tests for soft rock.The test device and the related testing method were introduced in detail.Finally,some test results have been simulated with a thermo-elasto-viscoplastic model that was also developed by the authors.
基金Project(51068002) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(10-046-14-1) supported by Guangxi Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering,China
文摘The shear strength parameters for geotechnical designs are obtained mainly from consolidated drained （CD） or consolidated undrained （CU） triaxial tests. However, during construction, the excess pore-air pressure generally dissipates instantaneously while the excess pore-water pressure dissipates with time. This condition needs to be simulated in a constant water content （CW） triaxial test. The study on Yunnan red clay is carried out to investigate the soil-water characteristics and the shear strength characteristics under the constant water content condition. Osmotic technique is used to obtain the soil-water characteristic curve. A series of CW triaxial tests are conducted on statically compacted specimens. The experimental results show that the soil-water characteristic curve has a low air entry value of 7 kPa due to large pores in non-uniform pore size distribution, and a high residual value exceeding 10 MPa. In addition, the initial degree of saturation and net confining stress play an important role in affecting the shear characteristics under the constant water content condition. Finally, a new semi-empirical shear strength model in terms of degree of saturation is proposed and then applied to Yuunan red clay. Simulation result shows that the model is capable of capturing some key features of soils. The model can be used in whole engineering practice range, covering both unsaturmed and saturated soils.
基金performed at Geotechnical engineering lab,Indian Institute of Technology,Roorkee,India.Ministry of Human Resource Development,Government of India,New Delhi supported this work(Grant No.MHR 002).
文摘Most studies on liquefaction have addressed homogeneous soil strata using sand or sand with fine content without considering soil stratification.In this study,cyclic triaxial tests were conducted on the stratified sand specimens embedded with the silt layers to investigate the liquefaction failures and void-redistribution at confining stress of 100 kPa under stress-controlled mode.The loosening of underlying sand mass and hindrance to pore-water flow caused localized bulging at the sand-silt interface.It is observed that at a silt thickness of 0.2H(H is the height of the specimen),nearly 187 load cycles were required to attain liquefaction,which was the highest among all the silt thicknesses with a single silt layer.Therefore,0.2H is assumed as the optimum silt thickness(t_(opt)).The silt was placed at the top,middle and bottom of the specimen to understand the effect of silt layer location.Due to the increase in depth of the silt layer from the top position(capped soil state)to the bottom,the cycles to reach liquefaction(N_(cyc,L))increased 2.18 times.Also,when the number of silt layers increased from single to triple,there was an increase of about 880%in N_(cyc,L).The micro-characterization analysis of the soil specimens indicated silty materials transported in upper sections of the specimen due to the dissipated pore pressure.The main parameters,including thickness(t),location(z),cyclic stress ratio(CSR),number of silt layers(n)and modified relative density(D_(r,m)),performed significantly in governing the lique-faction resistance.For this,a multilinear regression model is developed based on critical parameters for prediction of N_(cyc,L).Furthermore,the developed constitutive model has been validated using the data from the present study and earlier findings.
文摘Confining stresses serve as a pivotal determinant in shaping the behavior of grouted rock bolts.Nonetheless,prior investigations have oversimplified the three-dimensional stress state,primarily assuming hydrostatic stress conditions.Under these conditions,it is assumed that the intermediate principal stress(σ_(2))equals the minimum principal stress(σ_(3)).This assumption overlooks the potential variations in magnitudes of in situ stress conditions along all three directions near an underground opening where a rock bolt is installed.In this study,a series of push tests was meticulously conducted under triaxial conditions.These tests involved applying non-uniform confining stresses(σ_(2)≠σ_(3))to cubic specimens,aiming to unveil the previously overlooked influence of intermediate principal stresses on the strength properties of rock bolts.The results show that as the confining stresses increase from zero to higher levels,the pre-failure behavior changes from linear to nonlinear forms,resulting in an increase in initial stiffness from 2.08 kN/mm to 32.51 kN/mm.The load-displacement curves further illuminate distinct post-failure behavior at elevated levels of confining stresses,characterized by enhanced stiffness.Notably,the peak load capacity ranged from 27.9 kN to 46.5 kN as confining stresses advanced from σ_(2)=σ_(3)=0 to σ_(2)=20 MPa and σ_(3)=10 MPa.Additionally,the outcomes highlight an influence of confining stress on the lateral deformation of samples.Lower levels of confinement prompt overall dilation in lateral deformation,while higher confinements maintain a state of shrinkage.Furthermore,diverse failure modes have been identified,intricately tied to the arrangement of confining stresses.Lower confinements tend to induce a splitting mode of failure,whereas higher loads bring about a shift towards a pure interfacial shear-off and shear-crushed failure mechanism.
基金funded by the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI (Grant no. H-100897)
文摘In many engineering applications,it is important to determine both effective rock properties and the rock behavior which are representative for the problem’s in situ conditions.For this purpose,rock samples are usually extracted from the ground and brought to the laboratory to perform laboratory experiments such as consolidated undrained(CU)triaxial tests.For low permeable geomaterials such as clay shales,core extraction,handling,storage,and specimen preparation can lead to a reduction in the degree of saturation and the effective stress state in the specimen prior to testing remains uncertain.Related changes in structure and the effect of capillary pressure can alter the properties of the specimen and affect the reliability of the test results.A careful testing procedure including back-saturation,consolidation and adequate shearing of the specimen,however,can overcome these issues.Although substantial effort has been devoted during the past decades to the establishment of a testing procedure for low permeable geomaterials,no consistent protocol can be found.With a special focus on CU tests on Opalinus Clay,this study gives a review of the theoretical concepts necessary for planning and validating the results during the individual testing stages(saturation,consolidation,and shearing).The discussed tests protocol is further applied to a series of specimens of Opalinus Clay to illustrate its applicability and highlight the key aspects.
