Effects of Static Pressure on Failure Modes and Degree of Fracturing of Sandstone Subjected to Inter-Hole Pulsed High-Voltage Discharge

Abstract

This research aims to explore the fracturing behaviors of sandstone subjected to pulsed high-voltage discharge (PHVD) under different static pressures. An experimental method of rock fracturing induced by inter-hole PHVD was proposed. The static pressure was applied to the specimens, then the proposed method was applied to induce electrical breakdown testing under static loading. The microscopic fracture morphology of the sandstone was observed. The influences of the direction and level of static pressure on the crack length and fractal dimension of sandstone under the effect of PHVD were discussed. The results indicated that in the absence of static pressure, there are a discharge channel and multiple radial cracks in the sandstone after electric breakdown. The microscopic analysis implies that rock failure in the zone around the discharge channel is mainly influenced by the high temperature; while radial cracks are induced by shock waves. When static pressure is vertical to the discharge channel, tensile and compressive stresses concentrate in different parts around the discharge channel, which can remarkably alter the distribution zone and propagation path of cracks. In addition, the fractal dimension and total length of cracks first decrease, then increase with increasing static pressure. When static pressure is parallel to the discharge channel, the distribution characteristics and propagation direction of cracks are unchanged; however, under this loading mode, circularly distributed hoop tensile strains are generated at the zone around the discharge channel, which enables the fractal dimension and crack length increase with increasing static pressure.