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Title Acoustic Emission and Velocities Associated with the Formation of Sets of Parallel Fractures in Sandstones

Authors W.S. Pettitt and King M.S.

Publication Reference SINOROCK2004 Symposium in Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Vol. 41, No. 3

Abstract Acoustic emission (AE) and ultrasonic velocity measurements are increasingly being used as a tool to investigate mechanical, thermal and hydraulic changes in rock masses around underground excavations. In order to develop these measurements into an effective tool it is necessary to understand how they relate to changes in the fracture and fluid content under controlled laboratory conditions. A polyaxial test system has been developed to perform high-resolution measurements of AE, ultrasonic velocities and fluid permeability in a cubic specimen under true-triaxial stress. Example results are given from an experiment investigating the formation and closure of sets of parallel fractures. The polyaxial system allows the measurement of AEs using an array of small-diameter, high-frequency, transducers. The measurements allow the AE source locations and mechanisms to be calculated, thus providing an analysis of the distribution, orientation and type of fracture growth in the specimens. Example results are

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Link http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.03.034



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