Near Surface Electrical Properties of Rocks as a Guide to Mechanical Properties.
Abstract
Field and laboratory studies were undertaken to study the relationship between the electrical and mechanical properties of rocks. It was found that modest jointing and faulting have a pronounced effect on the seismic properties, but that the electrical properties continue to be controlled by the microscopic cracks even with quite severe faulting. This is explained by the small aspect ratio of joints, the importance of surface conductivity with very narrow cracks and the great increase of the small crack population produced by mechanical stresses. Theoretical studies of random networks were made to explore the conductivity-porosity relationships of porous media. It was shown that the wide range of crack widths existing in rocks can account for the observed relationship. These studies were also extended to explore other mixing laws observed with heterogeneous media.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA010058
Entities
People
- Theodore R. Madden
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology