Laboratory acousto-mechanical study into moisture-induced changes of elastic properties in intact granite

Wu, Rui; Selvadurai, Paul Antony; Liu, Ying; Sun, Yongyang; Leith, Kerry; Loew, Simon

doi:10.1002/essoar.10510999.2

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2023

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“…Data analyzed in this study is available on the ETH Research Collection and can be downloaded from Wu, Selvadurai, Li, Kerry, et al (2023)…”

Section: Data Availability Statementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laboratory Acousto‐Mechanical Study Into Moisture‐Induced Reduction of Fracture Stiffness in Granite

Wu,

Selvadurai,

et al. 2023

Geophysical Research Letters

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Water infiltration into fractures is ubiquitous in crustal rocks. However, little is known about how such a progressive wetting process affects fracture stiffness and seismic wave propagation, which are highly relevant for characterizing fracture systems in situ. We study the acousto‐mechanical behavior of a free‐standing fractured granite subjected to gradual water infiltration with a downward‐moving wetting front over 12 days. We observe significant differences (i.e., by an order of magnitude) in wave amplitudes across the fractured granite compared to an intact granite, with both cases showing a strong correlation between wave amplitudes and wetting front movement. Effects of water infiltration into the fracture and surrounding matrix on seismic attenuation are captured by a numerical model with parameters constrained by experimental data. Back‐calculated fracture stiffness decreases exponentially with the wetting front migration along the fracture. We propose that moisture‐induced matrix expansion around the fracture increases asperity mismatch, leading to reduced fracture stiffness.

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“…Data analyzed in this study is available on the ETH Research Collection and can be downloaded from Wu, Selvadurai, Li, Kerry, et al (2023)…”

Section: Data Availability Statementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laboratory Acousto‐Mechanical Study Into Moisture‐Induced Reduction of Fracture Stiffness in Granite

Wu,

Selvadurai,

et al. 2023

Geophysical Research Letters

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Laboratory acousto-mechanical study into moisture-induced changes of elastic properties in intact granite

Abstract: This a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary.

Cited by 1 publication

References 64 publications

Laboratory Acousto‐Mechanical Study Into Moisture‐Induced Reduction of Fracture Stiffness in Granite

Laboratory Acousto‐Mechanical Study Into Moisture‐Induced Reduction of Fracture Stiffness in Granite

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