Thermal expansion and inferred permeability of climax quartz monzonite to 300/sup 0/C and 27. 6 MPa

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(80)90811-6· OSTI ID:6318849

Heard, H C

The coefficient of linear thermal expansion (..cap alpha..) has been evaluated for Climax Stock quartz monzonite at effective pressures (P) of 0, 13.8 and 27.6 MPa (0 to 276 bars) and at temperature (T) from 19 to 300/sup 0/C. The samples evaluated were deliberately chosen to include imperfections such as healed fractures and large phenocrysts characteristic of the Climax pluton near the site of a highlevel waste repository demonstration test at the Nevada Test Site. Values for ..cap alpha.. are neither constant with nor a simple function of T or P. For the range of T investigated, ..cap alpha.. ranges from 10 to 15.10/sup -6/ /sup 0/C/sup -1/ at 0 MPa, from 7 to 13.10/sup -6/ /sup 0/C/sup -1/ at 13.8 MPa, and from 7 to 12.10/sup -6/ /sup 0/C/sup -1/ at 27.6 MPa. These values of ..cap alpha.. are greater than those expected for a similar but crack-free rock. Observations on the heated rock indicate that the thermal expansion is accompanied by new microcrack formation. At the temperatures to be expected in the wall rock near a waste canister, this increase in crack porosity is inferred to increase local permeability by factors of 2 to 5.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Livermore
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6318849
• Journal Information: Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr.; (United States) Vol. 17:5; ISSN IRMGB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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