Influence of temperature and water on subcritical crack growth parameters and long-term strength for igneous rocks

Abstract

Understanding of time-dependent deformation and fracture propagation in rock is essential, since the knowledge of the long-term integrity of rock is required for many subsurface structures excavated in a rock mass. Time-dependent fracture propagation has been invoked as a potential key mechanism responsible for the increase in seismicity preceding earthquake ruptures and volcanic eruptions. In engineering projects, and in preventing natural hazards, the study of subcritical crack growth and the long-term strength of rock is necessary. Since the long-term strength is affected by the values of the subcritical crack growth parameters, it is important to know the influence of the surrounding environment on the subcritical crack growth parameters and long-term strength. The influence of the surrounding environment on the subcritical crack growth parameters, however, has not been completely clarified yet. In this study, the subcritical crack growth parameters were estimated under various environmental conditions on igneous rocks (andesite and granite) using the Double-Torsion method. Based on the results of subcritical crack growth parameters estimations, we calculated the long-term strength of rock. It was shown that the subcritical crack growth parameters were affected by the environmental conditions such as the temperature, humidity and existence of water. Especially, it was shown that the subcritical crack growth index in water was smaller than that in air. When the relative humidity of the air was higher, subcritical crack growth index tended to be smaller. The subcritical crack growth index at 90 per cent relative humidity was close to the value in water. By the calculation based on the results of our subcritical crack growth parameters estimation, it was shown that long-term strength decreased under the conditions of higher temperature, humidity in air and in water. It is concluded that the subcritical crack growth parameters and long-term strength are affected by the surrounding environment, that is, by the temperature, relative humidity and water. To ensure the long-term stability of rock, dry conditions, at low temperature, are most suitable.