Influence of fracture roughness and micro-scale rock properties on the hydro-mechanical behaviour of fractured rock masses

岩石在颗粒尺度(微观尺度)的力学和几何性质控制着裂隙岩体在所有尺度上的流体力学行为。这项研究的总体目标是开发一种新的方法，通过专门考虑裂隙粗糙度和岩石微观结构来模拟裂隙岩体的流体力学行为。通过对表面粗糙度和岩石微观结构进行高分辨率测量，我和我的学生将能够提供必要的约束，以测试描述裂隙岩体行为的数值和分析模型，其中复杂的表面粗糙度几何形状，不均匀的颗粒分布，空洞和缺陷的存在仍然很难模拟。据介绍，拟议的研究将涉及四个独立但互补的领域，这四个领域是量化裂隙岩石在实验室和岩体(矿山)尺度的流体力学行为中裂隙粗糙度和岩石微观结构(颗粒大小和分布、矿物学、微裂纹的存在和方向)的作用的整体计划的一部分。我们将研究三维微结构对实验室尺度(D1)、矿山尺度(D2)的岩石强度的影响，对节理粗糙度和节理抗剪强度(D3)的影响，以及裂隙粗糙度在生物化学过程和岩体渗透率(D4)演化中的作用。建议研究的一个重要部分是将实验室带入矿山，直接获取用于数值模型的尺度岩体参数。它将通过使用高分辨率3D光学扫描仪来实现，该扫描仪易于携带，并在实验室和现场条件下提供相同的测量分辨率。这种新的方法将使我的团队能够获得今天只能在实验室条件下直接在现场(矿井巷道)获得的关于岩石结构和裂缝粗糙度的相同信息。他说，该研究计划为实验和数值岩石力学方面的高素质人员培训提供了一个独特的机会，它将加强加拿大的采矿业。

Mechanical and geometrical properties of rock at grain scale (micro-scale) govern the hydro-mechanical behavior of fractured rock masses at all scales. The overall objective of this research is to develop a novel approach for modeling the hydro-mechanical behavior of fractured rock masses by specifically accounting for fracture roughness and rock microstructure.     By making high-resolution measurements of surface roughness and rock microstructure, my students and I will be able to provide the necessary constraints to test numerical and analytical models for describing fractured rock masses behavior, where complex surface roughness geometry, heterogeneous grain distribution, presence of voids and flaws remain very difficult to simulate.     The proposed research will address four independent but complementary areas that are part of the overall program of quantifying the role of fracture roughness and rock microstructure (grain size and distribution, mineralogy, presence and orientation of micro-cracks) within the hydro-mechanical behavior of fractured rock at laboratory and rock mass (mine) scale. We will study the influence of 3D microstructure on rock strength at laboratory scale (D1), at mine scale (D2), on joint roughness and joint shear strength (D3), and the role of fracture roughness in the evolution of bio-chemical processes and rock mass permeability (D4).     Important part of the proposed research aims at "bringing the laboratory inside a mine" to directly acquire scaled rock mass parameters to be used in numerical models. It will be achieved by using a high resolution 3D optical scanner that is easy to carry and provides same measurement resolution at both laboratory and field conditions. This new approach will enable my group to acquire the same information regarding rock structure and fracture roughness that today are possible only at laboratory conditions, directly on the site (mine drifts).     The research program offers a unique opportunity for highly qualified personnel training in experimental and numerical rock mechanics, and it will strengthen the Canadian mineral industry.