Effects of pre-existing cracks and infillings on strength of natural rocks – Cases of sandstone, argillite and basalt

• Main Authors: Chen Cui, Ivan Gratchev
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-12-01
• Series: Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
• Subjects: Pre-existing crack; Rock strength; Infill material; Laboratory test
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674775520301049

This study aims to examine the influence of pre-existing discontinuities on the strengths of four natural rocks of different origins. A series of unconfined compression tests was performed on specimens of two types of sandstones, argillite and basalt that contain open and filled cracks. It was found that the presence of cracks tends to decrease the overall strength for all studied rocks; however, the magnitude of strength reduction is related to the property of rock. The larger strength decrease was observed for the relatively harder argillite and basalt, compared to the softer sandstone. It was also found that the infill material could increase the strength of rock specimens, while the obtained strength depended on the characteristics of the fill material.