The Journal of Engineering Geology ISSN:1226-5268(Print) 2287-7169(Online) 지질공학

The strain and acoustic emission (AE) signals of Pocheon granite were measured during uniaxial compression tests to investigate microcrack formation and damage. Crack closure, initiation, and damage stresses of each sample were determined through an analysis of the crack volumetric strain and stiffness. The samples experienced four damage stages according to stress levels: stage 1 = crack closure stage; stage 2 = elastic stage; stage 3 = crack initiation stage; stage 4 = crack damage stage. At least 75% of all AE signals occurred in stages 3 and 4, and different AE parameters were detected in the four stress stages. Rise time, count, energy, and duration clearly showed a tendency to gradually increase with the damage stress stage. In particular, the rise time, energy, and duration increased by at least 95% in stage 4 as compared with stage 1. However, the maximum amplitude showed a smaller increase, and the average frequency decreased slightly at higher stages. These results indicate that as the degree of rock damage increases, the crack size grows larger. The crack types corresponding to the AE signals were determined using the relationship between RA (Rise time / Amplitude) values and average frequencies. Tension cracking was dominant in all stress stages. Shear cracking was rare in stages 1 and 2, but increased in stages 3 and 4. These results are consistent with previous studies that reported cracking begins after samples have already been damaged. Our study shows that the state of rock damage can be investigated solely through an analysis of AE parameters when rocks are under compressive stress. As such, this methodology is suitable for understanding and monitoring the stress state of bedrock.