A Study on the Law of Non-Uniformity of Rock Deformation under Quasi-Static Loading

Abstract

Under internal and external factors, a series of slow deformation waves with different energy levels will occur in geological bodies. Slow deformation waves propagate in earth plates or along faults and may trigger earthquakes of different magnitudes. This wave is formed by the deformation and cracking of solid under external actions. The study of slow deformation waves showed that there are similarities in wave propagation at the earth’s plate scale and laboratory scale levels. A uniaxial compression test is conducted on a small-scale cuboid red sandstone sample under a certain loading speed to investigate the propagation law of the deformation wave. The digital image correlation technique is used to investigate the variation characteristics of the deformation wave of the sample. Furthermore, the variation characteristics of the three strain components of the slow deformation wave generated during the loading process are clarified. The deformation wave’s propagation speed is determined according to the motion of the localized maximum of the strain component in the loading direction. Simultaneously, semi-quantitative analysis is undertaken to reveal the temporal and space non-uniformity presented in the damaged sample surface.