The effect of a deviatoric stress on physical rock properties

Abstract

Petrophysical measurements were carried out on dry specimens of mica-gneiss, amphibolite and serpentinite from KTB core samples and samples of surface outcrops in order to determine the effect that a deviatoric stress field, as observed at the KTB area, may have on the in-situ rock properties. Simulating the variation of the actual principal stresses and temperature with depth, seismic wave velocities, densities, linear and volumetric strain (porosity) have been measured, taking into account the overall spatial orientation of the foliation at the KTB area with respect to the principal stress axes. Comparison with respective data evaluated for lithostatic pressure conditions revealed that the stress-related (crack-related) effect on wave velocities respectively on velocity anisotropy is in the range 1–3%, due to microcracks which are selectively closed or kept open by the deviatoric stress. The effect of the deviatoric stress is particularly documented by shear wave splitting due to microfractures that are oriented normal to the minimum principal stress axis.