Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Stress Distribution During Cold Compression of Rocks and Mineral Aggregates Using Synchrotron-based X-Ray Diffraction
Published on: May 20, 2018
Statistical similarity between the compression of a porous material and earthquakes
Jordi Baró1, Álvaro Corral, Xavier Illa
1Departament d'Estructura i Constituents de la Matèria, Facultat de Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, E-08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. jordibaro@ecm.ub.edu
Abstract:
It has long been stated that there are profound analogies between fracture experiments and earthquakes; however, few works attempt a complete characterization of the parallels between these so separate phenomena. We study the acoustic emission events produced during the compression of Vycor (SiO(2)). The Gutenberg-Richter law, the modified Omori's law, and the law of aftershock productivity hold for a minimum of 5 decades, are independent of the compression rate, and keep stationary for all the duration of the experiments. The waiting-time distribution fulfills a unified scaling law with a power-law exponent close to 2.45 for long times, which is explained in terms of the temporal variations of the activity rate.
Related Concept Videos
Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity
Behavior of Concrete Under Compressive Load
As the concrete specimen fractures under...
Dynamic Modulus of Elasticity of Concrete
The sonic test is a common method to determine the dynamic modulus. In this test, a concrete beam, sized either 6 x 6 x 30 inches or 4 x 4 x 20 inches, is clamped at its center. Vibrations are initiated at one end of the beam by an electromagnetic exciter unit powered by a...
Elasticity in Concrete
Pore Size Distribution
Adequate...
Bulk Modulus

