Recent advances in petrophysical properties, mechanical behavior and durability of calcarenite rocks
- Head of the Geotechnical Laboratory University of Bari Aldo Moro ▪ Orcid
Abstract
Recent research on predicting petrophysical and mechanical properties of carbonate rocks, integrating textural and microstructural observations with geotechnical measurements, has sparked critical discussions. While some studies present robust experimental methods and fresh insights, others rely on less rigorous approaches. In the Mediterranean area, shallow-water calcarenites crop out along both the coastline and internal areas. Typically, these carbonates are soft and exhibit high porosity, open in type, controlled by the depositional fabric and post-depositional processes. Their strength primarily depends on the type and amount of calcite cement, with water presence significantly impacting their stress-strain behavior. Strength and stiffness decrease markedly in the transition from dry to saturated conditions. Well-cemented calcarenites with early and late diagenetic cement exhibit brittle behavior in both dry and saturated states, whereas poorly cemented types with early calcite cementation alone show brittle behavior when dry and pseudo-ductile to ductile behavior when saturated. Dual-porosity systems, combining micro- and macro-pores, dominate the hydraulic properties of calcarenites, playing a key role in decay mechanisms and patterns. This study compares existing literature with laboratory analyses of calcarenite lithofacies from Apulia and Basilicata (Southern Italy), yielding new insights into their mechanical and physical behavior, as well as durability.
Funding
This research was supported by MIUR (Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research) under Grant 2010 ex MURST 60 % ‘‘Modelli geologico-tecnici, idrogeologici e geofisici per la tutela e la valorizzazione delle risorse naturali, ambientali e culturali’’ (coordinator G.F.Andriani). The research was financially supported by European Community within the Project Interreg III A “WET SYS B” 2000-2006 (responsible G.F.Andriani) and Apulia Region within the Program “CT14” (responsible G.F.Andriani). Work carried out within the framework of the Project MIUR (Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research) 2017-2018 ex MURST 60 % “Engineering geology and hydrogeological studies applied to the protection, development and promotion of geo-resources and historical, artistic and geo-environmental heritage” (responsible G.F.Andriani).
References
- Ciantia M.O., Castellanza R., Crosta G.B., Hueckel T. Effects of mineral suspension and dissolution on strength and compressibility of soft carbonate rocks // Engineering Geology. 2015. Vol. 184. P. 1-18. DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.10.024
- Lollino P., Andriani G.F. Role of Brittle Behaviour of Soft Calcarenites Under Low Confinement: Laboratory Observations and Numerical Investigation // Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. 2017. Vol. 50. Iss. 7. P. 1863-1882. DOI: 10.1007/s00603-017-1188-0
- Zimbardo M. Mechanical behaviour of Palermo and Marsala calcarenites (Sicily), Italy // Engineering Geology. 2016. Vol. 210. P. 57-69. DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.06.004
- Noël C., Fryer B., Baud P., Violay M. Water weakening and the compressive brittle strength of carbonates: Influence of fracture toughness and static friction // International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. 2024. Vol. 177. № 105736. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2024.105736
- Kanji M.A. Critical issues in soft rocks // Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. 2014. Vol. 6. Iss. 3. P. 186-195. DOI: 10.1016/j.jrmge.2014.04.002
- Pastore N., Andriani G.F., Cherubini C. et al. Pore network model to predict flow processes in unsaturated calcarenites // Italian Journal of Engineering Geology and Environment. 2024. Special Issue 1. P. 261-273. DOI: 10.4408/IJEGE.2024-01.S-29
- Ciantia M.O., Castellanza R., di Prisco C. Experimental Study on the Water-Induced Weakening of Calcarenites // Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. 2015. Vol. 48. Iss. 2. P. 441-461. DOI: 10.1007/s00603-014-0603-z
- Festa V., Fiore A., Luisi M. et al. Petrographic features influencing basic geotechnical parameters of carbonate soft rocks from Apulia (southern Italy) // Engineering Geology. 2018. Vol. 233. P. 76-97. DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2017.12.009
- Andriani G.F. Comment on «Petrographic features influencing basic geotechnical parameters of carbonate soft rocks from Apulia (southern Italy)» [Eng. Geol. 233: 76-97] // Engineering Geology. 2021. Vol. 285. № 106053. DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2021.106053
- Bonomo A.E., Munnecke A., Schulbert C., Prosser G. Microfacies analysis and 3D reconstruction of bioturbated sediments in the calcarenite di Gravina formation (southern Italy) // Marine and Petroleum Geology. 2021. Vol. 125. № 104870. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2020.104870
- Margiotta S., Sansò P. The Geological Heritage of Otranto – Leuca Coast (Salento, Italy) // Geoheritage. 2014. Vol. 6. Iss. 4. P. 305-316. DOI: 10.1007/s12371-014-0126-8
- Calia A., Tabasso M.L., Mecchi A.M., Quarta G. The study of stone for conservation purposes: Lecce stone (southern Italy) // Stone in Historic Buildings: Characterization and Performance. Geological Society of London, 2014. Vol. 391. P. 139-156. DOI: 10.1144/SP391.8
- Romanazzi A., Gentile F., Polemio M. Modelling and management of a Mediterranean karstic coastal aquifer under the effects of seawater intrusion and climate change // Environmental Earth Sciences. 2015. Vol. 74. Iss. 1. P. 115-128. DOI: 10.1007/s12665-015-4423-6
- Balacco G., Alfio M.R., Parisi A. et al. Application of short time series analysis for the hydrodynamic characterization of a coastal karst aquifer: the Salento aquifer (Southern Italy) // Journal of Hydroinformatics. 2022. Vol. 24. Iss 2. P. 420-443. DOI: 10.2166/hydro.2022.135
- Zhilei He, Guoli Wu, Jun Zhu. Mechanical properties of rock under uniaxial compression tests of different control modes and loading rates // Scientific Reports. 2024. Vol. 14. № 2164. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52631-1
- Aydin A. ISRM Suggested Method for Determination of the Schmidt Hammer Rebound Hardness: Revised Version // The ISRM Suggested Methods for Rock Characterization, Testing and Monitoring: 2007-2014. Springer, 2015. P. 25-33. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-07713-0_2
- Popov Y., Beardsmore G., Clauser C., Roy S. ISRM Suggested Methods for Determining Thermal Properties of Rocks from Laboratory Tests at Atmospheric Pressure // Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. 2016. Vol. 49. Iss. 10. P. 4179-4207. DOI: 10.1007/s00603-016-1070-5
- Mongelli F., Loddo M., Tramacere A. Thermal conductivity, diffusivity and specific heat variation of some Travale field (Tuscany) rocks versus temperature // Tectonophysics. 1982. Vol. 83. Iss. 1-2. P. 33-43. DOI: 10.1016/0040-1951(82)90005-1
- Lokier S.W., Al Junaibi M. The petrographic description of carbonate facies: are we all speaking the same language? // Sedimentology. 2016. Vol. 63. Iss. 7. P. 1843-1885. DOI: 10.1111/sed.12293
- Karagiannis N., Karoglou M., Bakolas A., Moropoulou A. Building Materials Capillary Rise Coefficient: Concepts, Determination and Parameters Involved // New Approaches to Building Pathology and Durability. Springer, 2016. P. 27-44. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-0648-7_2
- Dasgupta T., Mukherjee S. Porosity in Carbonates // Sediment Compaction and Applications in Petroleum Geoscience. Springer, 2020. P. 9-18. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-13442-6_2
- El Sharawy M.S., Gaafar G.R. Pore – Throat size distribution indices and their relationships with the petrophysical properties of conventional and unconventional clastic reservoirs // Marine and Petroleum Geology. 2019. Vol. 99. P. 122-134. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2018.10.006
- Nash D.J. Calcretes, Silcretes and Intergrade Duricrusts // Landscapes and Landforms of Botswana. Springer, 2022. P. 223-246. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-86102-5_13
- Pia G., Casnedi L., Sanna U. Pore Size Distribution Influence on Suction Properties of Calcareous Stones in Cultural Heritage: Experimental Data and Model Predictions // Advances in Materials Science and Engineering. 2016. Vol. 2016. № 7853156. DOI: 10.1155/2016/7853156
- Mineo S., Pappalardo G. InfraRed Thermography presented as an innovative and non-destructive solution to quantify rock porosity in laboratory // International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. 2019. Vol. 115. P. 99-110. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2019.01.012
- Tatone B.S.A., Abdelaziz A., Grasselli G. Novel Mechanical Classification Method of Rock Based on the Uniaxial Compressive Strength and Brazilian Disc Strength // Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. 2022. Vol. 55. Iss. 4. P. 2503-2507. DOI: 10.1007/s00603-021-02759-7
- Hemeda S. Influences of bulk structure of Calcarenitic rocks on water storage and transfer in order to assess durability and climate change impact // Heritage Science. 2023. Vol. 11. № 118. DOI: 10.1186/s40494-023-00949-w
- Paraskevopoulou C. Time-Dependent Behavior of Rock Materials // Engineering Geology. IntechOpen, 2021. 33 p. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.96997