Effects of Regimes of Water Saturation on Static Elastic Properties of Carbonate Rocks

Abstract

The spotlight of the analysis is on the elastic properties of dolomite and limestone host rocks of diamonds at the Botuoba Pipe in the conditions of partial saturation. Pre-saturated rock samples were subjected to three testing cycles during natural drying in room conditions. The change patterns in the elastic modulus of the test rock materials are determined subject to their water contents in different regimes of water saturation. The authors arrive to the conclusion that the prevailing concept of water effects on the mechanical properties of rocks is only valid in the steady-state conditions and is invalid in the unsteady-state conditions when moisture is nonuniformly distributed in the pore space of rocks.