Study on the Progressive Failure Characteristics of Longmaxi Shale under Uniaxial Compression Conditions by X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography

Xiao Li, Yongting Duan, Shouding Li and Runqing Zhou
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Xiao Li: Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Yongting Duan: Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Shouding Li: Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Runqing Zhou: Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: To investigate the deformation-failure process of Longmaxi shale under uniaxial compression conditions from the mesoscopic and macroscopic points of view, novel X-ray microComputed Tomography (micro-CT) equipment combined with unique loading apparatus was used. Cylindrical shale samples (4 mm in diameter and 8 mm in height) were produced to perform a series of uniaxial compression tests. CT scanning images at different time points during the loading process were obtained to study the characteristics of the progressive failure. In addition, stereograms were reconstructed and vertical slices were selected to explain the failure mechanism. From the results of the testing the low-density area, local per-peak cracks, numerous post-peak cracks and secondary cracks consecutively appeared in the CT images. Vertical and inclined fissures in the samples could be observed from the stereograms’ surfaces and from internal slices. The cracking indicates that the failure process of shale is progressive and the failure mechanism of shale under uniaxial compression is mainly tension destruction or comprehensive tension-shear destruction.

Keywords: shale; X-ray micro-CT; uniaxial compression; progressive failure; destruction mechanism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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