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The microscopic origin of thermal cracking in rocks: An investigation by simultaneous time-of-flight neutron diffraction and acoustic emission monitoring

Meredith, PG; Knight, KS; Boon, SA; Wood, IG; (2001) The microscopic origin of thermal cracking in rocks: An investigation by simultaneous time-of-flight neutron diffraction and acoustic emission monitoring. Geophysical Research Letters , 28 (10) 2105 - 2108. 10.1029/2000GL012470. Green open access

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Abstract

We demonstrate that neutron diffraction measurements make it possible to quantify elastic strains within the interior of solid samples, and thus have great potential for addressing a wide range of problems connected with the characterization of the mechanical properties of geological materials. We use the time-of-flight neutron diffraction technique, in combination with acoustic emission monitoring, to study the evolution of thermal strain within the interior of samples of a pure quartzite during slow heating, and the onset of the associated thermal cracking. Thermal cracking commences around 180 degreesC when the thermal strain deficit along the a-axes of quartz grains induces a thermal stress that is close to the bulk tensile strength of the rock.

Type: Article
Title: The microscopic origin of thermal cracking in rocks: An investigation by simultaneous time-of-flight neutron diffraction and acoustic emission monitoring
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1029/2000GL012470
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2000GL012470
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright 2001 by the American Geophysical Union
Keywords: Phase-transition, Stress, Quartz
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Earth Sciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/8845
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