Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental Investigation on Temperature-dependent Shear Behaviors of Granite Discontinuity

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Understanding the temperature-dependent shear behaviors of rock discontinuity would be critical for evaluating the stability of deep underground engineering structure. However, there are few documents available in the literature. In this study, a number of direct shear tests were performed on granite discontinuities with equal/similar joint roughness coefficient (JRC) after high temperatures from room temperature to 800 °C under five levels of normal stress, respectively. A linear increase in peak shear strength can be observed as the temperature increased from room temperature to 400 °C, then followed by a non-linear decline trend as the temperature continuously increased until to 800 °C. Cohesion and internal friction angle exhibited similar trends (reverse S-shape) with the increase in temperature, while the extent of thermal treatments on the two parameters was different. Peak shear displacement and secant peak shear stiffness were also greatly influenced by the thermal treatments, and two temperature-dependent empirical equations with the inclusion of temperature were developed. From room temperature to 400 °C, thermal treatments caused little influence on the surface degradation, while such an effect gradually became prominent with the increase in temperature from 400 to 800 °C. The temperature-dependent shear mechanisms for the failure of the granite discontinuities can be divided into three types (i.e., physical, chemical and geometrical), while the thermally induced over-closure, stated by Barton, would not be suitable for the increase in discontinuities’ peak shear strength due to the different heating procedures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alejano LR, Muralha J, Ulusay R, Li CC, Pérez-Rey I, Karakul H, Chryssanthakis P, Aydan Ö (2018) ISRM suggested method for determining the basic friction angle of planar rock surfaces by means of tilt tests. Rock Mech Rock Eng 51:3853–3859

    Google Scholar 

  • Amadei B, Wibowo J, Sture S, Price RH (1998) Applicability of existing models to predict the behavior of replicas of natural fractures of welded tuff under different boundary conditions. Geotech Geol Eng 16:79–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Asadollahi P, Tonon F (2010) Constitutive model for rock fractures: revisiting Barton's empirical model. Eng Geol 113:11–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton N (1971) Estimation of in situ shear strength from back analysis of failed rock slopes. In: Proc. Symp. Int. Soc. Rock Mech. Rock Fractur, Nancy

  • Barton N (1973) Review of a new shear-strength criterion for rock joints. Eng Geol 7:287–332

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton N (1982) Modelling rock joint behaviour from in situ block tests: Implications for nuclear waste repository design. ONWI-308. Office of Nuclear Waste Isolation, Columbus, OH, p 96

  • Barton N (2006) Rock quality, seismic velocity, attenuation and anisotropy. Taylor & Francis, Abingdon

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton N, Choubey V (1977) The shear strength of rock joints in theory and practice. Rock Mech Rock Eng 10:1–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton N, Bakhtar K, Bandis S (1983) Rock joint description and modelling for prediction of near field repository performance. Materials Research Society Annual Meeting, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Belem T, Souley M, Homand F (2007) Modeling surface roughness degradation of rock joint wall during monotonic and cyclic shearing. Acta Geotech 2:227–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Belem T, Souley M, Homand F (2009) Method for quantification of wear of sheared joint walls based on surface morphology. Rock Mech Rock Eng 42:883–910

    Google Scholar 

  • Bilgin HA, Pasamehmetoglu AG (1990) Shear behaviour of shale joints under heat in direct shear. In: Rock joints: proceedings of a regional conference of the international society for rock mechanics, pp 179–183

  • Blanpied ML, Lockner DA, Byerlee JD (1995) Frictional slip of granite at hydrothermal conditions. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 100:13045–13064

    Google Scholar 

  • Brace WF, Byerlee JD (1970) California earthquakes: why only shallow focus? Science 168:1573–1575

    Google Scholar 

  • Drennon CB, Handy RL (1972) Stick-slip of lightly loaded limestone. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 9:603–608

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairhurst CE, Hudson JA (1999) Draft ISRM suggested method for the complete stress–strain curve for intact rock in uniaxial compression. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 36:281–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman RE (1976) Methods of geological engineering in discontinuous rock. West, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Homand F, Belem T, Souley M (2001) Friction and degradation of rock joint surfaces under shear loads. Int J Numer Anal Met Geomech 25:973–999

    Google Scholar 

  • Homand-Etienne F, Houpert R (1989) Thermally induced microcracking in granites: characterization and analysis. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 26:125–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson F (2016) Influence of scale and matedness on the peak shear strength of fresh, unweathered rock joints. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 82:36–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Khamrat S, Thongprapha T, Fuenkajorn K (2018) Thermal effects on shearing resistance of fractures in Tak granite. J Struct Geol 111:64–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim T, Jeon S (2019) Experimental study on shear behavior of a rock discontinuity under various thermal, hydraulic and mechanical conditions. Rock Mech Rock Eng 52:2207–2226

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumari WGP, Ranjith PG, Perera MSA, Chen BK, Abdulagatov IM (2017) Temperature-dependent mechanical behaviour of Australian strathbogie granite with different cooling treatments. Eng Geol 229:31–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Oh J, Mitra R, Canbulat I (2016) A fractal model for large-scale opened rock joints. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49:913–925

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockner DA, Summers R, Moore D, Byerlee JD (1982) Laboratory measurements of reservoir rock from the Geysers geothermal field, California. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 19:65–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockner DA, Summers R, Byerlee JD (1986) Effects of temperature and sliding rate on frictional strength of granite. Pure Appl Geophys 124:445–469

    Google Scholar 

  • Magsipoc E, Zhao Q, Grasselli G (2019) 2D and 3D roughness characterization. Rock Mech Rock Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-019-01977-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meier T, Backers T, Stephansson O (2009) The influence of temperature on Mode II fracture toughness using the punch-through shear with confining pressure experiment. In: Proceedings of the 3rd CANUS rock mechanics symposium, Toronto

  • Mitchell EK, Fialko Y, Brown KM (2013) Temperature dependence of frictional healing of Westerly granite: experimental observations and numerical simulations. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 14:567–582

    Google Scholar 

  • Muralha J, Grasselli G, Tatone B, Blümel M, Chryssanthakis P, Yujing J (2014) ISRM suggested method for laboratory determination of the shear strength of rock joints: revised version. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47:291–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Odedra A, Ohnaka M, Mochizuki H, Sammonds P (2001) Temperature and pore pressure effects on the shear strength of granite in the Brittle-Plastic Transition Regime. Geophys Res Lett 28:3011–3014

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohno I (1995) Temperature variation of elastic properties of α-quartz up to the α–β transition. J Phys Earth 43:157–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsson WA (1974) Effects of temperature, pressure and displacement rate on the frictional characteristics of a limestone. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 11:267–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Qin Y, Tian H, Xu NX, Chen Y (2020) Physical and mechanical properties of granite after high-temperature treatment. Rock Mech Rock Eng 53:305–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Rong G, Peng J, Yao M, Jiang Q, Wong LNY (2018) Effects of specimen size and thermal-damage on physical and mechanical behavior of a fine-grained marble. Eng Geol 232:46–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Saeb S, Amadei B (1992) Modelling rock joints under shear and normal loading. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 29:267–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Shao S, Ranjith PG, Wasantha PLP, Chen BK (2015) Experimental and numerical studies on the mechanical behaviour of Australian Strathbogie granite at high temperatures: An application to geothermal energy. Geothermics 54:96–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Souley M, Homand F, Amadei B (1995) An extension to the Saeb and Amadei constitutive model for rock joints to include cyclic loading paths. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 32:101–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Stesky RM (1978) Rock friction-effect of confining pressure, temperature, and pore pressure. Pure Appl Geophys 116:690–704

    Google Scholar 

  • Stesky RM, Brace WF, Riley DK, Robin PYF (1974) Friction in faulted rock at high temperature and pressure. Tectonophysics 23:177–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang Z, Jiao Y (2020) Choosing appropriate appraisal to describe peak spatial features of rock joint profiles. Int J Geomech 20(4):04020021

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang ZC, Sun M, Peng J (2019a) Influence of high temperature duration on physical, thermal and mechanical properties of a fine-grained marble. Appl Therm Eng 156:34–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang ZC, Zhang QZ, Peng J (2019b) Effect of thermal treatment on the basic friction angle of rock joint. Rock Mech Rock Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-019-02026-w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang ZC, Zhang QZ, Peng J, Jiao YY (2019c) Experimental study on the water-weakening shear behaviors of sandstone joints collected from the Middle Region of Yunnan Province P.R. China. Eng Geol 258:105161

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatone BSA, Grasselli G (2013) An investigation of discontinuity roughness scale dependency using high-resolution surface measurements. Rock Mech Rock Eng 46:657–681

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian H, Mei G, Jiang GS, Qin Y (2017) High-temperature influence on mechanical properties of diorite. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50:1661–1666

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulusay R, Karakul H (2016) Assessment of basic friction angles of various rock types from Turkey under dry, wet and submerged conditions and some considerations on tilt testing. Bull Eng Geol Environ 75:1683–1699

    Google Scholar 

  • Usefzadeh A, Yousefzadeh H, Salari-Rad H, Sharifzadeh M (2013) Empirical and mathematical formulation of the shear behavior of rock joints. Eng Geol 164:243–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Valdez RD, Kitajima H, Saffer DM (2019) Effects of temperature on the frictional behavior of material from the Alpine Fault Zone, New Zealand. Tectonophysics 762:17–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang SQ, Ranjith PG, Jing HW, Tian WL, Ju Y (2017a) An experimental investigation on thermal damage and failure mechanical behavior of granite after exposure to different high temperature treatment. Geothermics 65:180–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang SQ, Xu P, Li YB, Huang YH (2017b) Experimental investigation on triaxial mechanical and permeability behavior of sandstone after exposure to different high temperature treatments. Geothermics 69:93–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang W, Sun Q, Hao S, Geng J, Chao L (2016) Experimental study on the variation of physical and mechanical properties of rock after high temperature treatment. Appl Therm Eng 98:1297–1304

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang F, Zhao J, Hu D, Skoczylas F, Shao J (2018) Laboratory investigation on physical and mechanical properties of granite after heating and water-cooling treatment. Rock Mech Rock Eng 51:677–694

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Q, Li X, Bai B, Hu H (2019) The shear behavior of sandstone joints under different fluid and temperature conditions. Eng Geol 257:105143

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Z, Dou Z, Xu H, Liu Z (2019) Shear behavior of Beishan granite fractures after thermal treatment. Eng Fract Mech 213:223–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuo J-P, Wang J-T, Sun Y-J, Chen Y, Jiang G-H, Li Y-H (2017) Effects of thermal treatment on fracture characteristics of granite from Beishan, a possible high-level radioactive waste disposal site in China. Eng Frac Mech 182:425–437

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges the support from the Natural Science Foundation of China under projects 41672302. Many thanks are also given to Xiao Yan Lai, Jiang Luo, and Tian Yuan Zhang for their assistance in performing the laboratory tests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, People’s Republic of China

    Zhi Cheng Tang

Authors
  1. Zhi Cheng Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhi Cheng Tang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The author declares that he has no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tang, Z.C. Experimental Investigation on Temperature-dependent Shear Behaviors of Granite Discontinuity. Rock Mech Rock Eng 53, 4043–4060 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-020-02149-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-020-02149-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation