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Mechanical Properties of Soft Rocks

Propriété Mécanique des Roches Tendres

K .A K A I Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Kyoto U niversity,

T .A D A C H I Assistant Professor, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, K yoto U niversity,
K .N IS H I Engineer, Central Research Institute o f Electric Power Industry, Japan

S Y N O P S IS T h e p l a s t i c y i e l d i n g an d r a t e s e n s i t i v e p r o p e r t ie s o f s o f t s e d im e n ta ry ro c k s a r e e x ­
p e r i m e n t a l l y i n v e s t i g a t e d i n t h e c a s e w h e n o n l y t h e v o lu m e e x p a n s i o n o c c u r s d u r i n g t h e p l a s t i c
d e fo r m a tio n p r o c e s s . T h e c o n s t i t u t i v e e q u a t io n s f o r t h e m a t e r i a l a r e d e r iv e d b a s e d o n t h e e x ­
p e r im e n ta l r e s u lt s an d P e r z y n a ’ s th e o r y o f e l a s t o - v i s c o p l a s t i c i t y . N a m e ly , f i r s t o f a l l , t h e
m e th o d t o d e t e r m i n e t h e p l a s t i c y i e l d i n g s t r e s s i s d i s c u s s e d . The e x p e r im e n t a lly o b ta in e d
p l a s t i c y i e l d a n d f a i l u r e s u r f a c e s a r e fo u n d t o be r a t e d e p e n d e n t. So t h e s t a t i c y i e l d s u r ­
fa c e i s assum ed t o b e d e te r m in e d fro m th e c re e p t e s t r e s u l t s . I t i s a ls o th e e x p e r im e n t a l e v ­
i d e n c e t h a t t h e l o n g t e r m s t r e n g t h m ay b e r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e r e s i d u a l s t r e n g t h o f t h e m a t e r i a l .
F i n a l l y , t h e e l a s t o - v i s c o p l a s t i c c o n s t i t u t i v e e q u a t io n s a r e d e r iv e d by u s in g t h e s t a t i c y i e l d
s u r f a c e a n d b a s e d o n t h e a s s u m p tio n t h a t i t s s t a t i c s t r e s s - s t r a i n r e l a t i o n i s t h e e l a s t i c -
p e rfe c t p la s tic shape.

IN T R O D U C T IO N T a b le I P h y s ic a l P r o p e r t ie s

Now i n o u r c o u n t r y , s o - c a l l e d s o f t r o c k s a r e Porosity 3^ .8 % i
d is t r ib u te d a t th e s it e s o f such b ig c i v i l Dry density 1.52 g/cm^
e n g in e e r in g p r o j e c t s as S e ik a n t u n n e l an d Wet density 1.86 g/cm
H o n s h u -S h ik o k u b r i g e c o n s t r u c t i o n s . In o rd e r Specific gravity 2.38
to e f f i c i e n t l y an d s u c c e s s f u lly p ro c e e d th o s e Uniaxial strength 56.5 kg/cm**
p r o j e c t s , i t i s im m e d ia te n e c e s s i t y t o d e r iv e
th e c o n s t i t u t i v e e q u a t io n s f o r s u c h s o f t D E T E R M IN A T IO N OF P L A S T IC Y IE L D IN G S TR E SS
ro c k s as h a l f s o l i d i f i e d s e d im e n ta r y ro c k s
d e p o s i t e d i n M io c e n e E p o c k o f T e r t i a r y P e r i o d I n o r d e r t o e x a m in e t h e m e th o d t o d e t e r m in e
and s t r o n g ly w e a th e re d g r a n it e . G e n e r a lly , th e p l a s t i c y ie ld in g s t r e s s , th e re p e a te d
s o ft ro c k s a re re g a rd e d as s tr a in -h a r d e n in g - lo a d in g -u n lo a d in g t r i a x i a l s h e a r t e s t s w e re
s o fte n in g p la s t ic and r a te s e n s itiv e m a te r i­ p e rfo rm e d u n d e r d r a in e d c o n d it io n i n r e f e r ­
a ls w ith d i la t a n c y . e n c e t o t h e i n t r i n s i c m e a n in g o f p l a s t i c i t y .
The d e v ia to r ic s t r e s s - s t r a in r e la t io n is
The o b j e c t i v e o f t h i s s tu d y is t o o b ta in p l o t t e d on l o g - l o g s c a le i n F i g . 1 w h e re th e
m o re g e n e r a l a n d r e a l i s t i c s t r e s s - s t r a i n ­ lo a d in g - u n lo a d in g p a th f o r t h i s c a s e i s a ls o
tim e r e l a t i o n f o r th e s o f t r o c k s , e s p e c ia lly g iv e n . A d is t in c t b ro k e n p o in t is c le a r ly
i n r e l a t i o n t o th e lo n g te rm s t a b i l i t y a n d s e e n i n t h e lo a d in g p r o c e s s b e tw e e n 6 a n d 8 .
d e fo r m a tio n p r o b le m s . F o r th e p u rp o s e , t r i -
a x i a l t e s t s h a v e b e en c o n d u c te d t o c l a r i f y
th e p la s t ic y ie ld in g and r a t e d e p en d en t b e ­
h a v io r s o f t h e m a t e r i a l s by u s in g O h y a -s to n e
(p o r o u s t u f f ) d e p o s i t e d i n T e r t i a r y P e r i o d
a s a n i d e a l s o f t s e d im e n ta r y r o c k .

SAMPLES

S o f t r o c k s a m p le u s e d i n t h i s s t u d y i s t u f f
t a k e n fro m O hya s t r a t u m . The t u f f is chosen
as a n i d e a l s o f t s e d im e n ta r y r o c k , b e c a u s e
i t s h ig h p o r o s i t y a n d u n i f o r m i t y m ake i t
m uch m o r e a m e n a b l e t o t h e i n i t i a l s t u d y o f
m e c h a n ic a l p r o p e r t i e s o f s o f t s e d im e n ta r y
ro c k s . Som e p h y s i c a l p r o p e r t i e s o f t h e s am ­
p l e a r e s u m m a riz e d i n T a b l e I . The c y lin ­
d r i c a l s p e c i m e n s w e r e p r e p a r e d i n 5 cm o f t h e
d i a m e t e r a n d 1 0 cm o f t h e h i g h t , a n d w e r e
s a t u r a t e d by a p p ly in g vacuum t o th e v e s s e l
i n w h ic h t h e s p e c im e n s w e r e s u b m e rg e d u n d e r ADERF
w a t e r f o r a t l e a s t 2*1 h o u r s . F ig . 1 D e v ia to r ic s tr e s s - » tr a in r e la tio n

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Unloading from the stress states below the
point gives negligible amount of permanent
strain. On the other hand, definite perma­
nent strain takes place in unloading from
the stress state 0 above the point. So that,
it may conclude that the broken point gives
the stress value when the plastic deformation
becomes to dominate. The stress value thus
obtained is defined as the plastic yielding
stress in this work. The yielding stress is
also found to be the characteristic point
for the stress-volume change relation, namely
the permanent volume expansion occurs above
the yielding stress, although the results not
given here. This method have been applied
to various materials(e.g., Murayama and
Shibata(196^)).
YIFLD AND FAILURE SURFACES
In order to clarify the plastic yielding and
failure characteristics of the material,
strain controlled consolidated-undrained and
stress controlled drained triaxial shear
tests were conducted under different con­
fining pressures. The undrained shear tests
were carried out for 5 , 20, 28 and 47 kg/cm 2
of cell pressure by using 0.04 %/min of the
strain rate. The drained tests were per­
formed under 2 , 5, 15 and 25 kg/cm 2 cf cell
pressure, and the converted average strain
rate was about 0.00035 %/min. The results
are summarized in the effective stress plane
( ° m » a l ~ a 3) as shown in Fig. 2.
Yield
CU-Tests ■ the linear relation seems to exist, i.e.,
D-Tests □ (ai-a3)/0^ = a(-dvp/def) + C
Creep a
Surfaces----
Strength---
_ l --------- L.
50
MEAN STRESS dj, (kg/cm2)
Fig. 2 Stress paths, plastic yield surfaces
failure surfaces and residual
strength
The figure shows the effective stress paths
of the tests, the plastic yield surfaces
determined by log-log plotting method, the
failure surfaces defined by the maximum
attained shearing stress values and the re­
sidual strength obtained by the undrained
tests. From the figure, it is concluded
that (1 ) the plastic yield and failure sur­
faces are nonlinear with 0 under lower con­
fining pressure range, (2 ) both of yielding
and failure values for the drained tests are
smaller than those of the undrained tests,
this should be caused by the rate effect,
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even with due regard to the other differences
in the test conditions(e.g., differnce in the
void ratio), (3) the residual strength is
found to be expressed by a straight line,
namely, by Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and
(¿0 for lower confining pressure range the
tendency of volume expansion can be seen from
the undrained stress paths.
DETERMINATION OF PLASTIC YIELD FUNCTION
The yield function consistent with the plas­
tic potential is determined by using the as­
sociated flow rule in the theory of plastici­
ty and experimental results. A stable mate­
rial in Drucker's sense(1959) is satisfied
with "normality rule" on the yield loci which
is given by the following equation if the
yield is expressed by the first and second
stress invariants.
d v< V /2 T ^ = - d ( / 2 J i ) / d a ; (1 )
where a^:mean effective stress, /2J2:second
stress invariant , vP :plastic volumetric
strain and /2X2 :second invariant of plastic
deviatoric strain increment.
Once the left hand side of Eq.(l) is given by
the function of the first and second stress
invariants, namely so-called "flow rule" is
given, the yield function is determined by
integrating Eq.(l) with help of the flow rule.
For the purpose, Fig. 3 is obtained as the
relation between the stress ratio and plastic
dilatancy rate from the drained test results.
Although the values are slightly scattering,
(2)
As the invariant form, the relation becomes
/nj/ai = o*(-dvp/ / ^ ) + C* (3)
where a, a*, C and C*are material constants
and obtained as a = a*=0. 75, C=/3/2 c* = l .25 for
this material.
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Fig. 3 Relationship between stress ratio
and plastic dilatancy rate
Therefore, the yield function Is determined
from Eqs.(1) and (3) with the condition of
✓2J 2=k* at /2J^/a;=C* as follows.
£ =C*oi{[C*+(a*-l)(^Jj/o;)]/ci>C*}c?'/(“
k'1)= k* (4)
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In the above derivation it is assumed that

the plastic volumetric strain does not take
place for the stress state (01-03) < C . In
other words, the plastic strain incremental
vector becomes normal to a^-axis at the point
A as seen in Fig. In Fig. 4, correspond­ &-s

ing to the drained tests, we show the theo­

retical yield locus and experimentally ob­ <u
tained plastic incremental strain vectors. z

0 --- l 11 I m il--- 1— 1 1 I n u i----1 1 Im ill--- L-.i 1 I mil--- i_j.

1 10 102 103 104

TIME t (min)
Fig. 5 Creep strain and time relations for
drained creep tests

MEAN STRESS O^ (kg/cm2)

Fig. 4 Theoretical yield locus and plastic
incremental strain vectors
The normality condition on the yield locus is
approximately satisfied. Namely, the yield
function can well explain the volume expan­
sion behaviors during plastic deformation.
RATE DEPENDENT BEHAVIORS
So far, the discussions have been made with­
out taking account of rate effect, but it is
already found that the plastic yield and
failure surfaces are rate sensitive. In
order to make clear the long term deformation
and strength properties of the material, Fig. 6 Isochronous stress-strain curves
drained triaxial creep tests were carried out obtained from draind creep tests
under the confining pressure of 5 and 15
kg/cm2. Fig. 5 shows the change of shear be considered as the long term strength of
strain with time. What is evident from the the material. It is noteworthy that these
figure is that the creep deformation is stress values are located near by the resid­
strongly affected by the creep stress level. ual strength line.
The creep curves are the typical ones and the
creep rupture occurs for stress above *J2 Taking account of the fact that the creep
kg/cm 2 in the case of 5 kg/cm 2 cell pressure. rupture may possibly occur for the stress
The remarkable volume expansion is found just state above the static yield value as seen
before attaining the creep rupture as seen in in Fig. 6, the material is idealized by
the next figure. elasto-viscoplastie body whose static stress
-strain relation is defined by the elastic-
Isochronous stress-strain curves obtained perfectly plastic shape(i.e., non strain-
from Fig.- 5 are shown in Fig. 6. Exceeding hardening) .
the inflection point of the stress-strain
curves, the plastic flow becomes dominant and DERIVATION OF CONSTITUTIVE EQUATIONS
drastic volume expansion takes place. Defin­
ing the inflection point as the static yield P e rz y n a (1 9 6 3 ) p o in te d o u t t h a t th e d i f f e r ­
value of the material, the values are found e n c e o f s t a t i c a n d d y n a m ic b e h a v i o r s o f ma­
to be about *10 and 55 kg/cm 2 for 5 and 15 t e r i a l s to o k p la c e by th e s t r a i n r a t e s e n s i­
kg/cm 2 of cell pressure, respectively. These t i v i t y o f th e m a te r ia ls and d e fin e d t h is
values are also plotted in Fig. 2- as the r a t e s e n s it iv e b e h a v io r s as v is c o p l a s t i c .
creep test results. The minimum stress P e rz y n a assum ed th e e x is te n c e o f r a t e s e n s i­
values under which the creep rupture occurs, t i v e y i e l d s u r fa c e , i . e . , th e s o - c a lle d "d y ­
are also given in Fig. 2. These values may n a m ic y i e l d s u r f a c e " g i v e n b y f d =kd a n d o f

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the so-called "excess stress function" F
which represented the difference between the
dynamic and static yield functions. The
excess stress function P is defined by
f = fd/fs - 1 (5)
where fs is the static yield function. Then
the following viscoplastic stress-strain re­
lations were proposed.
êJJ = n*<t>(F)3fd / 3 a ^ . , n * = i/n (6)
In this study, the static yield surface ob­
tained in creep test is used as fs and the
yield function is assumed to be given by the
same functional form of Eq.(4), namely, just
to replace k* by kd which is the parameter of
strain rate effect. Thus, the following
constitutive equations for the material are
derived. __
è ffi= n * *(F )f (Æ J i/g ;) U c*
where
f(ÆJi/a;) = {[C*+(dl-l)(/2JÎ/oi)]/a*}1/(“
*'1)
What is yet to be determined is the function­
al form of $(F). In the case of axisymmetric
triaxial condition, from Eq.(7) we have
F = $-1{n e^p//273 f[(a1-o3)/o;]}
For the purpose, ejp/f[(ai-03)/0mJ and F are
plotted in Fig. 7 by using creep test result.
From the figure, the functional form of 4>(F)
is approximately expressed by the potential
function, i.e.,
<D(F) = C2eKp(52F)
where C2 and 02 are material constants.
using the drained creep test result
The direction of strain rate vectors at the
steady state creep deformation processes and
the corresponding dynamic yield surfaces are
shown in Fig. 8. The normality of creep
strain rate vectors to the dynamic yield
loci is satisfied. This concludes that the
viscoplastic concept can well explain the
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plastic and rate sensitive properties of the
soft rock material.
(7 )
Fig. 8 Comparison of theoretical dynamic
yield loci with creep strain rate
vectors at steady state
(8) The similar approach has been applied to
derive the constitutive equations for normal­
ly consolidated clays(Adachi and 0kano(1974)).
CONCLUSIONS
Throughout this study, the following con­
(9) clusions are summarized.
(1) The plastic yield function is dètermined
from the experimental results and associated
flow rule in the theory of plasticity.
(2) The soft rock shows plastic flow with
volume expansion for the stress state above
the static yield surface obtained by creep
test results and finally attains to the creep
rupture.
(3) Therefore, it should be considered that
the strain-hardening-softening behaviors are
transitory and the long term strength of the
material is determined by the static yield
surface which is found to be approximately
represented by the residual strength.
(*J) The derived constitutive equations can be
applied to the long term deformation and
stability problems related to soft rocks.
REFERENCES
Adachi, T. and M. Okano. (197*0,"A Constitu­
tive Equations for Normally Consolidated
Clay," Soils and Foundations, Vol. 14,
No. 4, pp. 55-73-
Drucker, D.C. (1959),"A Definition of Stable
Inelastic Material," J. Appl. Mech., Trans.
ASME, Vol. 26, pp. 101-106.
Murayama, S. and T. Shibata (1964), "Flow and
Stress Relaxation of Clays," IUTM, Rheology
and Soil Mechanics Symposium, Grenoble,
pp. 99-129.
Perzyna, P. (1963),"The Constitutive Equation
for Rate Sensitive Plastic Material," Quart.
Appl. Math., Vol. 20, pp. 321-332.