Abstract
The rock mass behavior can be studied using the complete stress–strain curve obtained from laboratory tests. To capture the complete curve and prevent violent failure, a stiff servo-assisted testing machine is required. Mainly due to the challenges in performing these tests and the fact that rock mass behavior is typically studied prior to failure, there is a lot of uncertainty in post-peak behavior. In fact, several studies have been developed to estimate pre-peak mechanical properties based on geological characteristics such as grain size and mineral composition but not to estimate post-peak properties. This study uses geological characteristics, index test results and pre-peak mechanical properties to estimate post-peak properties. For this purpose, uniaxial compression tests were conducted on ten different lithologies of brittle rocks. The procedure applied is based on standardized recommendation, photography techniques at hand scale have been used while for geological analysis. Three models were adjusted. The first model predicts UCS using the Dynamic Young’s modulus, the second predicts the likelihood of capturing the post-peak behavior, and the third is a multivariable model that estimates the drop modulus considering mechanical properties and porosity. Regarding geological analyses at the scale of photography, no conclusive information was found. Literature suggests that porosity is an important property for estimating pre-peak mechanical properties, and this study provides evidence that porosity can be helpful in predicting the drop modulus. It is recommended to strengthen the models with additional tests, reduce biases associated with LVDTs location and the representativeness of certain lithologies compared to others, and evaluate other testing methodologies for performing tests faster.
Highlights
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Post-peak tests in very brittle rocks require a servo-testing machine and specific methodologies that reduce testing time while avoiding uncontrolled failure.
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Three models are proposed for predicting UCS, the likelihood of capturing successfully the post-peak and drop modulus as a function of mechanical and index properties.
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Non-destructive P-S wave velocities test is a useful alternative to have a preliminary estimation of UCS to define the stages for carrying out post-peak tests.
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Results indicate that UCS plays a role in predicting the likelihood of capturing successfully the post-peak at laboratory when testing brittle rocks in a given laboratory.
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UCS, Young Modulus and porosity can be used to estimate drop modulus in very brittle rocks.
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Data Availability
All data is provided as figures and tables in the manuscript.
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Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the basal project AFB220002 of the Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC), University of Chile. Special thanks to Jorge Velásquez, David Veloz, Arturo García and Flavia Polanco for their support in carrying out destructive laboratory tests, Javiera Pérez and Fernando Reveco for helping with the geological analysis, and Javier Vallejos and Lorena Burgos for their comments. Special thanks to Miguel Vera for providing samples of two lithologies and granting access to conduct non-destructive tests at the Rock Mechanics laboratory of USACH.
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This work was supported by the basal project AFB220002 of the Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC), University of Chile.
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The study conception and design was proposed by Kimie Suzuki Morales and Sergio Flores. Samples were characterized and tests were performed by Sergio Flores. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Sergio Flores and Kimie Suzuki Morales and Pia Lois-Morales commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Flores, S., Suzuki Morales, K. & Lois-Morales, P. Influence of Index Properties and Semi-Quantitative Geological Characteristics of Brittle Rocks on Their Post-Peak Behavior. Rock Mech Rock Eng (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-024-03879-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-024-03879-6