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U.S. Department of Energy
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Effects of sample size on the mechanical behavior of Topopah Spring tuff

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:59939

Thirty-four mechanical experiments were performed on intact cylindrical samples of the Topopah Spring Member of the Paintbrush Tuff taken from an outcrop on Busted Butte, southeast of Yucca Mountain in southern Nevada. The samples ranged in diameter from 25.4 to 228.6 mm, and all had a nominal length to diameter ratio of 2:1. All samples were water saturated and deformed in compression at atmospheric confining pressure, room temperature, and a nominal strain rate of 10{sup -5} s{sup -1}. Young`s modulus and Poisson`s ratio were found to have no significant trend with changes in sample size. Ultimate strength and axial strain at failure were both inversely related to sample diameter, with simple power-law models fitting the data trends very well.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States). Geomechanics Div.
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
59939
Report Number(s):
SAND--85-0709; ON: DE86016024
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English