Contact Algorithm for Determining Aperture Evolution of Rock Fracture during Shearing
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 16, Issue 3
Abstract
A contact algorithm to determine the aperture evolution of a rock fracture during shearing is reported. The algorithm was based on a theoretical normal closure model and semianalytical dilation model and required only the three-dimensional topography data of the two fracture surfaces at the initial stage before shearing. It allowed the prediction of the aperture distribution of a fracture under normal stress and various shear displacements, which is difficult to observe in coupled shear-flow tests. To ensure the precision of the surface topography data, a laser-scanning profilometer system was used for surface topography measurement. The contact algorithm was then used to predict the aperture evolution of a marble fracture during shearing. The results of aperture variation under normal stress and shear displacement were analyzed and compared with an equivalent aperture derived from back-calculation of flow test results. The results indicated that the contact algorithm is efficient in predicting aperture evolution.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by research grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51278378, 41272321, and 41327001), the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Program, 2011CB013800), and the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (PCSIRT, IRT1029).
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 16 • Issue 3 • June 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 15, 2013
Accepted: Jul 2, 2015
Published online: Dec 14, 2015
Discussion open until: May 14, 2016
Published in print: Jun 1, 2016
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