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Vol 276 Iss. 2
Pages:
157-169
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Article
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

On the need to refine triaxial testing methods for investigating the mechanical behaviour of salt rocks and salt-based geomaterials

Authors:
Jauheni Ja. Kazlouski1
Michael A. Zhuravkov2
Sergei I. Bogdan3
About authors
Date submitted:
2024-08-26
Date accepted:
2025-07-16
Online publication date:
2025-12-03

Abstract

This paper addresses the necessity of refining standard triaxial testing methods for characterizing the mechanical behaviour of salt rocks. Triaxial testing is a key tool for determining the strength and deformation characteristics of rocks; however, existing standards often fail to account for the unique features of salts, such as their highly plastic behaviour, creep, temperature sensitivity, and defect-healing capability. The work highlights the critical importance of considering large strains and volumetric changes of specimens during testing, as this enables a more accurate representation of the behaviour of salt rocks, as this enables a more accurate representation of the behaviour of salt rocks. It is proposed that current standards be updated by incorporating well-established correction equations for geometry evolution and volumetric strain, as well as by adopting the Hencky strain measure. Experimental results obtained on natural salt rock specimens and salt-based geomaterials demonstrate significant errors in the evaluation of the stress-strain state when traditional data-processing methods are applied without accounting for the specific properties of salts. The analysis underscores the need to revise existing triaxial testing standards in line with the proposed approaches, thereby improving the accuracy and reproducibility of data that underpin geomechanical modelling and engineering design.

Область исследования:
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Keywords:
laboratory testing triaxial testing salt rocks rock mechanics standards
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