Relationship Between the Critical Dissipated Energy Per Unit Volume and the Mechanical Properties of Different Rocks

ABSTRACT: The aim of this paper is to present a laboratory method determining the critical dissipated energy (CDE) per unit volume of homogenous-isotropic rock. In case of uniaxial compression it can be calculated easily with the difference of the work done by external force and the energy connected to the change of internal structure. These energies are measured applying different stress or strain rates, i.e. it tends to infinite and zero. The CDE is material dependent: it is influenced by the rock texture, internal bonds, the cohesion, the strength of the minerals, the porosity, etc. Using seven different type of rocks the CDE was measured and the relationship with the compressive and tensile strength, ultrasonic wave velocity and porosity was calculated.