SEDL / STP / STP869-EB / STP32829S

An Experimental and Theoretical Approach to Rock Deformation at Elevated Temperature and Pressure

Brodsky, NS
Research assistant, University researcher, and professor and chairman of Department of Geological Sciences, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Getting, IC
Research assistant, University researcher, and professor and chairman of Department of Geological Sciences, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Spetzler, H
Research assistant, University researcher, and professor and chairman of Department of Geological Sciences, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Pages: 18    Published: Jan 1985

Download this paper for $25 PDF (244K)          View License Agreement
Abstract

Specimens of Westerly granite have been tested to failure in triaxial compression during investigations of strain rate and temperature-dependent deformation within the brittle regime. We have used a method of specimen pretreatment that enables more accurate measurement of temperature dependent deformation caused by thermally activated crack growth under applied load. Thermal cycling of Westerly granite before testing to failure modifies the form of the stress-strain curve obtained.

In modelling our experimental results we find stress corrosion and a fracture mechanics approach for evaluating crack-tip stresses adequate to explain time-dependent phenomena. To reasonably predict temperature and confining pressure dependent deformation, we must include additional constraints such as frictional characteristics or perhaps plastic deformation mechanisms.