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Evolutionary features of microscopic damage in shale under unloading action.
Yanxu Liang1, Haicheng She1,2, Wangji Ding1
1School of Urban Construction, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.
Unloading disturbances in rocks cause microscopic damage, increasing cracks and shifting pore sizes. Higher unloading amplitudes significantly accelerate rock damage and reduce mechanical properties like shear strength.
Area of Science:
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Rock Mechanics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Understanding rock damage evolution under unloading is crucial for geotechnical stability.
- Microscopic damage significantly impacts rock mechanical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microscopic damage evolution law of rocks subjected to unloading disturbances of varying amplitudes.
- To analyze the impact of unloading amplitude on rock pore structure and mechanical properties.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscope scanning and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were employed.
- Triaxial compression tests were conducted to assess mechanical properties.
- A novel pore size ratio (dmax/dmin) and T2 energy spectrum analysis were utilized.
Main Results:
- Increased unloading amplitude led to more shear extension cracks and a shift from micro- to macropores.
- Rock pore ratio and expansion rate increased slowly below 20MPa unloading amplitude, then significantly increased above it.
- Shale shear strength, elastic modulus, and shear strength decreased with increasing unloading amplitude, while Poisson's ratio remained relatively stable.
Conclusions:
- The study establishes a statistical damage model for unloaded disturbed rocks, validated by experimental data.
- Microscopic damage evolution is directly correlated with unloading amplitude.
- Mechanical properties of rocks degrade significantly with increasing unloading disturbances.
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