An assessment of the creep behaviour of Brazilian salt rocks using the multi-mechanism deformation model

Abstract

Salt rocks are geomaterials that exhibit several peculiarities, which require a particular approach in rock mechanics. In the field, those rocks are usually found in layered/bedded deposits and in domes or similar structures. Creep is one of the main deformation mechanisms associated with salt rocks, and this phenomenon is highly dependent on the stress state, temperature and mineralogy. Salt rock mechanics for engineering applications requires the definition of a powerful constitutive model and this is an ongoing challenge. Among the many available models, one of the most sophisticated physical constitutive models for salt rocks is the multi-mechanism deformation creep model (MD model). The main contribution of this work is to present a first effort in the use of the MD model for Brazilian salt rocks. Material-sensitive parameters have been calibrated for the Brazilian halite through two methodologies. Salt is modelled as an elasto-viscoplastic material. Numerical simulations using the finite element method have been carried out for triaxial creep tests, Pre-salt wellbore closure and mining gallery convergence in order to validate the parameter set and the methodologies. Excellent results have been observed in most of the applications for validation. Even so, validation efforts should continue to consolidate the parameters and identify possible limitations.