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Efects of mineral suspension and dissolution on strength and compressibility of soft carbonate rocks

Publication ,  Journal Article
Ciantia, MO; Castellanza, R; Crosta, GB; Hueckel, T
Published in: Engineering Geology
January 4, 2015

Calcarenites are highly porous soft rocks formed of mainly carbonate grains bonded together by calcite bridges. The above characteristics make them prone to water-induced weathering, frequently featuring large caverns and inland natural underground cavities. This study is aimed to determine the main physical processes at the base of the short- and long-term weakening experienced by these rocks when interacting with water. We present the results of microscale experimental investigations performed on calcarenites from four different sites in Southern Italy. SEM, thin sections, X-ray CT observations and related analyses are used for both the interpretation-definition of the structure changes, and the identification-quantification of the degradation mechanisms. Two distinct types of bonding have been identified within the rock: temporary bonding (TB) and persistent bonding (PB). The diverse mechanisms linked to these two types of bonding explain both the observed fast decrease in rock strength when water fills the pores (short-term effect of water), identified with a short-term debonding (STD), and a long-term weakening of the material, when the latter is persistently kept in water-saturated conditions (long-term effect of water), identified with a long-term debonding (LTD). To highlight the micro-hydro-chemo-mechanical processes of formation and annihilation of the TB bonds and their role in the evolution of the mechanical strength of the material, mechanical tests on samples prepared by drying partially saturated calcarenite powder, or a mix of glass ballotini and calcarenite powder were conducted. The long-term debonding processes have also been investigated, using acid solutions in order to accelerate the reaction rates. This paper attempts to identify and quantify differences between the two types of bonds and the relative micro-scale debonding processes leading to the macro-scale material weakening mechanisms.

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Published In

Engineering Geology

DOI

ISSN

0013-7952

Publication Date

January 4, 2015

Volume

184

Start / End Page

1 / 18

Related Subject Headings

  • Geological & Geomatics Engineering
  • 4019 Resources engineering and extractive metallurgy
  • 4005 Civil engineering
  • 3705 Geology
  • 0999 Other Engineering
  • 0909 Geomatic Engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering
 

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Ciantia, M. O., Castellanza, R., Crosta, G. B., & Hueckel, T. (2015). Efects of mineral suspension and dissolution on strength and compressibility of soft carbonate rocks. Engineering Geology, 184, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.10.024
Ciantia, M. O., R. Castellanza, G. B. Crosta, and T. Hueckel. “Efects of mineral suspension and dissolution on strength and compressibility of soft carbonate rocks.” Engineering Geology 184 (January 4, 2015): 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.10.024.
Ciantia MO, Castellanza R, Crosta GB, Hueckel T. Efects of mineral suspension and dissolution on strength and compressibility of soft carbonate rocks. Engineering Geology. 2015 Jan 4;184:1–18.
Ciantia, M. O., et al. “Efects of mineral suspension and dissolution on strength and compressibility of soft carbonate rocks.” Engineering Geology, vol. 184, Jan. 2015, pp. 1–18. Scopus, doi:10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.10.024.
Ciantia MO, Castellanza R, Crosta GB, Hueckel T. Efects of mineral suspension and dissolution on strength and compressibility of soft carbonate rocks. Engineering Geology. 2015 Jan 4;184:1–18.
Journal cover image

Published In

Engineering Geology

DOI

ISSN

0013-7952

Publication Date

January 4, 2015

Volume

184

Start / End Page

1 / 18

Related Subject Headings

  • Geological & Geomatics Engineering
  • 4019 Resources engineering and extractive metallurgy
  • 4005 Civil engineering
  • 3705 Geology
  • 0999 Other Engineering
  • 0909 Geomatic Engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering