Effect of Porosity and crack density on

Compressive Strength

Compressive strength :an important parameter for the

analysis of mechanical response
Early attempt to develop theory for rock failue
Griffith theory
Mohr Coloumb theory and failure criteria and so on.
Each theory consider some parameter to explain observed behaviour.

Here we consider two such models taking porosity and

crack density as two important micromechanical
parameter in determining compressive strength
Pore-emanated crack model
The representative element volume is
idealized as a pore or crack embedded in
elastic continuum as shown in fig.1
Localized stress concentration at pore which
propagate parallel to the maximum
compression direction.
Fig 1 Leads to dilatancy and further propagation
leads to uncontrolled crack propagation and
hence fracture is observed at macro level.
Analytical approximation equation for
unconfined compressive strength

UCS predicted to decrease with increasing porosity and

inverse square root of pore radius

This model predicts compressive strength s controlled by two microstructural attributes:

porosity and pore radius
Discrete element method
When the bonding at grain contact ruptured and
neighbouring grains move ,this micromechanical model
takes into account for this motion.
The contact point of grain has some tensile and shear
strength and if either thresholds is reached leads to slip
at contact points
Useful to model the micromechanics of failure of both
compact and porous rocks.
This model can simulate the progressive development
of strain hardening /softening and shear localization as
observed in labrotatry.
Sliding wing crack model
Considers tensile stress concentration at the
tip of pre- existing crack
Key microstructural attribute is crack density
Tensile stress concentration at the tip
propagate wing crack in 1 direction
These crack coalesce to form a macroscopic
shear band .
The principal stress at the onset of dilatancy is
given by

As the density of wing cracks increases , they coalesce to form a

macroscopic shear band in the strain.
Test method for pore structure characterization:

Scanning electron microscope(SEM)

Nuclear magnetic resonance
Mercury intrusion porosimetry
Gas adsorption method
Micro-CT analysis
Scanning electron microscope
It produces image of a sample by scanning it with a focussed
beam of electrons.It produces high resolution images of mineral
and connectivity of pore throat system.
However it only gives qualitative pore images and we cannot
obtain quantative data of pore size distribution
It destroys internal structure and external morphology of the
pores.
Nuclear magnetic Resonance
It produces response signal of fluid hydrogen nuclei in the rock
pore that being measured using NMR scan.
Applies to sedimentary rocks such as sandstone and carbonate.
This method only measures open pores in rock.
Mercury intrusion porosimetry
Mercury a non-wetting liguid , will enter pore space
when pressure exceeds capillary pressure.
The pore size invaded by mercury is related to the
applied pressure by Washburn Equation:

It is the most commonly used method for pore structure

characterization. Fast determination speed and
measuring range of pore diameter is relatively large.
Comparison of pore structure
characterize methods