SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental Study on the Effects of Water Saturation on the Microseismic and Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Sandstone in Different Stress States

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To investigate the evolution characteristics of microseismic (MS) and acoustic emission (AE) of sandstone before and after water saturation in different stress states and the precursory information of rock failure, Brazilian splitting, direct shear, and uniaxial and biaxial compression tests were carried out on natural and saturated specimens of sandstone, and the whole failure process of each specimen was monitored by an MS system combined with an AE system. The results show that: (1) water increased the number and duration of MS waveform signals detected during the post-σpeak stage, increased the overall level of the MS b value, and reduced the accumulative absolute AE energy (EAE,ab) and single abrupt increases in EAE,ab. These changes evince the effects of water on the strength and deformation of the sandstone and reflect the degradation and softening of the sandstone due to saturation. Furthermore, water was found to significantly affect the mechanical properties and acoustic characteristics of the sandstone, and the effect varied with the stress state of the sandstone. (2) A notable abrupt increase in the MS fractal dimension (Dt), a notable abrupt decrease in the MS b value, or the first post-σpeak decrease in the AE Dt to a Dt,min less than 0.1 often suggests imminent rock failure. The overall average b value of MS signals during the failure process of a rock can be used as a criterion for determining whether it is in a saturated state. (3) Due to the difference in the frequency range, acquisition mode and activeness indexes of MS and AE signals, MS is more sensitive to large-scale fracture events and AE is more sensitive to small-scale fracture events. Combining the respective advantages of AE and MS signals and using both of them to monitor the failure process of rocks can facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of their intrinsic failure mechanisms and, therefore, help to provide more accurate predictions of rock failure.

Highlights

  • Saturating the sandstone with water led to some changes in its microseismic and acoustic emission evolution characteristics.

  • The effect of water on the mechanical properties and acoustic characteristics of sandstones varied considerably with the stress state of sandstones.

  • The evolution characteristics of microseismic and acoustic emission signals provide some precursory information that can be used to predict rock failure.

  • The evolution characteristics of microseismic signals provide some possible criteria for determining the moisture state of rocks.

  • Similar to acoustic emission signals, microseismic signals can be monitored in laboratory-scale research to help to analyze the failure mechanism of rocks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Germany)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

References

  • Amann F, Button EA, Evans KF, Gischig VS, Blumel M (2011) Experimental study of the brittle behavior of clay shale in rapid unconfined compression. Rock Mech Rock Eng 44:415–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amitrano D, Arattano M, Chiarle M, Mortara G, Occhiena C, Pirulli M, Scavia C (2010) Microseismic activity analysis for the study of the rupture mechanisms in unstable rock masses. Nat Hazard 10:831–841

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arosio D, Longoni L, Papini M, Boccolari M, Zanzi L (2018) Analysis of microseismic signals collected on an unstable rock face in the Italian Prealps. Geophys J Int 213:475–488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baud P, Zhu WL, Wong TF (2000) Failure mode and weakening effect of water on sandstone. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 105:16371–16389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai X, Zhou ZL, Liu KW, Du XM, Zang HZ (2019) Water-weakening effects on the mechanical behavior of different rock types: phenomena and mechanisms. Appl Sci 9:4450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen L, Zhao J, Zheng ZY (2017) Acoustic emission characteristics of compressive deformation and failure of siltstone under different water contents. Adv Mater Sci Eng 2017:4035487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Wang Q, Guo J, Luo Y, Li Y, Liu Q, Wang H (2018) Mechanical properties and acoustic emission characteristics of karst limestone under uniaxial compression. Adv Mater Sci Eng 2018:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen GQ, Li TB, Wang W, Zhu ZF, Chen ZQ, Tang OL (2019) Weakening effects of the presence of water on the brittleness of hard sandstone. Bull Eng Geol Env 78:1471–1483

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colombero C, Comina C, Vinciguerra S, Benson PM (2018) Microseismicity of an unstable rock mass: from field monitoring to laboratory testing. Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth 123:1673–1693

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eppes MC, Keanini R (2017) Mechanical weathering and rock erosion by climate-dependent subcritical cracking. Rev Geophys 55:470–508

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erguler ZA, Ulusay R (2009) Water-induced variations in mechanical properties of clay-bearing rocks. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 46:355–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng GL, Feng XT, Chen BR, **-II Hydropower Station, China. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 84:273–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geng JS, Cao LW (2020) Failure analysis of water-bearing sandstone using acoustic emission and energy dissipation. Eng Fract Mech 231:107021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grgic D, Amitrano D (2009) Creep of a porous rock and associated acoustic emission under different hydrous conditions. Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth 114:B10201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutenberg B, Richter CF (1994) Frequency of earthquakes in California. B Seismol Soc Am 34:185–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ikari MJ, Saffer DM, Marone C (2007) Effect of hydration state on the frictional properties of montmorillonite-based fault gouge. Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth 112:B06423

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim JS, Lee KS, Cho WJ, Choi HJ, Cho GC (2015) A comparative evaluation of stress-strain and acoustic emission methods for quantitative damage assessments of brittle rock. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48:495–508

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kong B, Wang EY, Li ZH, Wang XR, Liu J, Li N (2016a) Fracture mechanical behavior of sandstone subjected to high-temperature treatment and its acoustic emission characteristics under uniaxial compression conditions. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49:4911–4918

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kong XG, Wang EY, Hu SB, Shen RX, Li XL, Zhan TQ (2016b) Fractal characteristics and acoustic emission of coal containing methane in triaxial compression failure. J Appl Geophys 124:139–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kong B, Wang EY, Li ZH, Wang XR, Niu Y, Kong XG (2017) Acoustic emission signals frequency-amplitude characteristics of sandstone after thermal treated under uniaxial compression. J Appl Geophys 136:190–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lei XL (2019) Evolution of b-value and fractal dimension of acoustic emission events during shear rupture of an immature fault in granite. Appl Sci 9:2498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li YH, Liu JP, Zhao XD, Yang YJ (2009) Study on b-value and fractal dimension of acoustic emission during rock failure process. Rock and Soil Mechanics 30:2559

    Google Scholar 

  • Li HR, Shen RX, Li DX, Jia HS, Li TX, Chen TQ, Hou ZH (2019) Acoustic emission multi-parameter analysis of dry and saturated sandstone with cracks under uniaxial compression. Energies 12:1959

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li HR, Qiao YF, Shen RX, He MC, Cheng T, **ao YM, Tang J (2021) Effect of water on mechanical behavior and acoustic emission response of sandstone during loading process: phenomenon and mechanism. Eng Geol 294:106386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin P, Wong RHC, Tang CA (2015) Experimental study of coalescence mechanisms and failure under uniaxial compression of granite containing multiple holes. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 77:313–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin Q, Cao P, Wang H, Cao R (2018) An experimental study on cracking behavior of precracked sandstone specimens under seepage pressure. Advances in Civil Engineering 2018:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu T, Cao P (2016) Testing study of subcritical crack growth mechanism during water rock interaction. Geotech Geol Eng 34:923–929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu X, Liang Z, Zhang Y, Liang P, Tian B (2018) Experimental study on the monitoring of rockburst in tunnels under dry and saturated conditions using AE and infrared monitoring. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 82:517–528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu XX, Wu LX, Zhang YB, Liang ZZ, Yao XL, Liang P (2019) Frequency properties of acoustic emissions from the dry and saturated rock. Environmental Earth Sciences 78:1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo DN, Su GS, He BY (2019) True triaxial test on rockburst of granites with different water saturations. Rock and Soil Mechanics 40:1331–1340

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo DN, Su GS, Zhang GL (2020) True-triaxial experimental study on mechanical behaviours and acoustic emission characteristics of dynamically induced rock failure. Rock Mech Rock Eng 53:1205–1223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansurov VA (1994) Acoustic emission from failing rock behaviour. Rock Mech Rock Eng 27:173–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore DE, Lockner DA (2004) Crystallographic controls on the frictional behavior of dry and water-saturated sheet structure minerals. Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth 109:B03401

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrow CA, Moore DE, Lockner DA (2000) The effect of mineral bond strength and adsorbed water on fault gouge frictional strength. Geophys Res Lett 27:815–818

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicolas A, Fortin J, Regnet JB, Dimanov A, Gueguen Y (2016) Brittle and semi-brittle behaviours of a carbonate rock: influence of water and temperature. Geophys J Int 206:438–456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peck L, Gordon RB (2013) The effect of compressive stress on the fracture energy of Sioux quartzite. Geophys Res Lett 9:186–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prikryl R, Lokajicek T, Li C, Rudajev V (2003) Acoustic emission characteristics and failure of uniaxially stressed granitic rocks: The effect of rock fabric. Rock Mech Rock Eng 36:255–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ranjith PG, Jasinge D, Song JY, Choi SK (2008) A study of the effect of displacement rate and moisture content on the mechanical properties of concrete: Use of acoustic emission. Mech Mater 40:453–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Read M, Ayling MR, Meredith PG, Murrell S (1995) Microcracking during triaxial deformation of porous rocks monitored by changes in rock physical properties, II. Pore volumometry and acoustic emission measurements on water-saturated rocks. Tectonophysics 245:223–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roy DG, Singh TN, Kodikara J, Das R (2017) Effect of water saturation on the fracture and mechanical properties of sedimentary rocks. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50:2585–2600

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakuma H, Suehara S (2015) Interlayer bonding energy of layered minerals: implication for the relationship with friction coefficient. Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth 120:2212–2219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen RX, Li HR, Wang EY, Chen TQ, Li TX, Tian H, Hou ZH (2020) Infrared radiation characteristics and fracture precursor information extraction of loaded sandstone samples with varying moisture contents. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 130:104344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su GS, Jiang JQ, Feng XT, Jiang Q, Chen ZY, Mo JH (2019) Influence of loading rate on strainburst: an experimental study. Bull Eng Geol Env 78:3559–3573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su GS, Zhao GF, Jiang JQ, Hu XC (2021) Experimental study on the characteristics of microseismic signals generated during granite rockburst events. Bull Eng Geol Env 80:6023–6045

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swain MV, Williams JS, Lawn BR, Beek JJH (1973) A comparative study of the fracture of various silica modifications using the Hertzian test. J Mater Sci 8:1153–1164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang SC, Liu X, Kang C (2017) Study on the ejective debris of granite biaxial rockburst test. In: International Conference on Machinery, pp 200–205

  • Van Eeckhout EM (1976) The mechanisms of strength reduction due to moisture in coal mine shales. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts 13:61–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasarhelyi B (2005) Statistical analysis of the influence of water content on the strength of the miocene limestone. Rock Mech Rock Eng 38:69–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vásárhelyi B, Ván P (2006) Influence of water content on the strength of rock. Eng Geol 84:70–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang HJ, Li J, Guo Q, Shi RG, Zhao ZJ, Zhang YT, Zhao F (2021) Experimental study on the influence of water on the failure properties of sandstone. Bull Eng Geol Env 80:7747–7771

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong LNY, Maruvanchery V, Liu G (2016) Water effects on rock strength and stiffness degradation. Acta Geotech 11:713–737

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu X, Liu X, Liang Z, You X, Yu M (2012) Experimental study of fractal dimension of AE serials of different rocks under uniaxial compression. Rock and Soil Mechanics 33:3561–3569

    Google Scholar 

  • **ao WJ, Zhang DM, Wang XJ (2020) Experimental study on progressive failure process and permeability characteristics of red sandstone under seepage pressure. Eng Geol 265:105406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • **e HP, Pariseau WG (1993) Fractal character and mechanism of rock bursts. Int J Rock Mech Min 30:343–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang W, Li C, Xu R, Li X (2020) Experimental investigation on time-frequency characteristics of microseismic signals in the damage evolution process of coal and rock. Energies 13:1–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin X, Li S, Tang H (2005) Study on strength fractal features of acoustic emission in process of rock failure. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 24:3512–3516

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang A, Liu X, Zhang Y, Tian B (2017) Experimental research on acoustic emission characteristics of argillaceous siltstone failure under different moisture contents. Chinese Journal of Underground Space and Engineering 13:591–597

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang SW, Shou KJ, **an XF, Zhou JP, Liu GJ (2018) Fractal characteristics and acoustic emission of anisotropic shale in Brazilian tests. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 71:298–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao K, Yang DX, Zeng P, Huang Z, Wu WK, Li B, Teng TY (2021) Effect of water content on the failure pattern and acoustic emission characteristics of red sandstone. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 142:104709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao GF, Luo DN, Su GS, Chen BR, Huang JH (2022) Experimental research on the evolutionary characteristics of acoustic signals for concrete cracking under uniaxial compression. Appl Acoust 191:108671

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou ZL, Cai X, Ma D, Cao WZ, Chen L, Zhou J (2018) Effects of water content on fracture and mechanical behavior of sandstone with a low clay mineral content. Eng Fract Mech 193:47–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 52179125 and 51709050), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi (No. 2018GXNSFBA138060), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2018M633299), the Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Foundation of Guang** University (No. 2022JCA004), and the High-Level Innovation Team and Outstanding Scholar Program of Universities in Guangxi Province.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Disaster Prevention and Structural Safety of Ministry of Education, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China

    Danni Luo & Guoshao Su

  2. School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China

    Danni Luo, Yuqing **e, Sihang Lu & Guoshao Su

  3. Guangxi Provincial Engineering Research Center of Water Security Intelligent Control for Karst Region, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China

    Danni Luo & Guoshao Su

  4. Guangxi Key Laboratory of Disaster Prevention and Engineering Safety, Guangxi University, Nanning, China

    Danni Luo & Guoshao Su

Authors
  1. Danni Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuqing **e
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sihang Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Guoshao Su
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Danni Luo.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Luo, D., **e, Y., Lu, S. et al. Experimental Study on the Effects of Water Saturation on the Microseismic and Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Sandstone in Different Stress States. Rock Mech Rock Eng 55, 6583–6603 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-022-03001-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-022-03001-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation