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Mechanical characteristics of Antrim shale. Interim report, April 1977--January 1978

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6605470· OSTI ID:6605470

A laboratory investigation has been conducted to determine the basic mechanical properties of Antrim oil shale. The strength and deformation properties were studied in quasi-static uniaxial compression, ultrasonic velocity, point load strength and surface hardness tests. Young's modulus and compressive strength were found to decrease with increasing kerogen content while Poisson's ratio remained at a fairly constant level. The density decreased in a linear fashion with increasing kerogen content. The floor rocks showed much greater strength, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio in comparison with oil shale. A distinct characteristic of Antrim shale was the extreme weakness of the bedding plane which caused a great difficulty in sample preparation. This strength anisotropy would be of great importance in the design of bed preparation methods such as massive hydraulic fracturing and explosives fracturing. 28 figures, 13 tables.

Research Organization:
Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton (USA). Dept. of Mining Engineering
OSTI ID:
6605470
Report Number(s):
FE-2346-24
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English