Variability in spatial distribution of mineral phases in the Lower Bowland Shale, UK, from the mm- to μm-scale: Quantitative characterization and modelling

The microstructure of a highly laminated Lower Bowland Shale sample is characterized at the micron-to millimeter scale, to investigate how such characterization can be utilized for microstructure-based modelling of the shale's geomechanical behavior. A mosaic of scanning electron microscope (SEM) back-scattered electron (BSE) images was...

Relationships between cracking, strains and proportions of clay matrix and rigid inclusions in Tournemire clay rock

A clay rock sample from the Tournemire Underground Research Laboratory (Averyon, France) was subjected to a fast desiccation in the laboratory, from 98 to 33% relative humidity. At the millimetre scale, fracture locations were identified and desiccation strains and fracture apertures were calculated by digital image correlation on a surface of 5...

Multi-scale investigation of fracture apertures in clay rock subjected to desiccation

In the laboratory, the desiccation fracture apertures in Tournemire clay rock were investigated at different scales (millimetre and centimetre) and compared to the variations of the average water content and mean strains of the sample. The induced hydric strains and desiccation fractures were monitored by digital image correlation (H-DIC). At...