Laboratory investigation on mechanisms of stress wave propagations in porous media

Abstract

A number of porous models having the similar statistical characteristics of pores and physical properties with natural sandstones have been produced using reactive powder concrete (RPC) and polystyrenes. Spit-Hopkinson-Pressure -Bar tests and CT scans have been carried out on the models with the various porosities to probe the performance of wave propagations and the responses of pores and the matrix during wave propagations. It is shown that porosities significantly influence wave propagations. For an identical impact strain rate, the greater the porosity is, the larger the amplitude of the reflected wave appears, the more the peak in the reflected wave presents, and the smaller the amplitude of the transmitted wave turns out. A single peak emerges in the reflected wave when the porosity falls down to 5%. The larger the impact strain rate, the much remarkable the phenomena. The energy-dissipated ratio of porous models, i.e., W J /W I , linearly increases with the increment of porosities. The ratio is sensitive to the impact strain rate. Differences in the performance of wave propagations and energy dissipation result from the varied mechanisms that pores response to impacts. For the porosity less than 10%, the mechanism appears to be a process fracturing the matrix to generate new surfaces or pores. Energy has primarily been dissipated in creating new surfaces or pores. No apparent pore deformation takes place. The impact strain rate takes little effect on pore geometry. For the porosity of 15% or more, the mechanism works depending on the impact strain rate. When a low impact strain rate applies, the mechanism still appears to crack the matrix to generate surfaces or pores, but the amount is lower as compared to the case with a low porosity. If a large impact stain rate applies, the mechanism combines both fracturing the matrix and deforming the pores, with the deforming pores predominating. The vast majority of energy has been dissipated to deform pores. Only high porosity and impact strain rate can bring significant deformation to the pores. The proposed eccentricity of pores is capable of characterizing the geometry of pores and its change during wave propagations.