Abstract
Rock microfracturing significantly affects elastic and anelastic parameters as well as transport properties. Several rock models are proposed in literature relating rock microfractures and cracks to the effective velocities. However, the mechanisms involved in the attenuation of seismic waves still need further investigation in order to properly relate attenuation to fracturing. Laboratory measurements of ultrasonic wave propagation are performed on dry sandstones during increasing fracturing of the samples. Perpendicular to the loading axis the wave velocities decrease and attenuation increase. The observed decrease of wave velocity is a measure for the crack density of the newly formed cracks. Utilising crack densities and microstructural parameters the attenuation behaviour is interpreted in terms of the mechanisms friction and scattering. On the same rock samples the effect of fracturing on water transport is investigated. Measurements before and after the mechanical fracturing show a decrease of permeability in loading direction. The changes in seismic parameters and permeability are interpreted by different variations in rock microstructure. This should be considered when relating seismic and transport rock properties.
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