Correlating mode-I fracture toughness and mechanical properties of heat-treated crystalline rocks

For the effect of thermal treatment on the mode-I fracture toughness (FT), three crystalline rocks (two basalts and one tonalite) were experimentally investigated. Semi-circular bend specimens of the rocks were prepared following the method suggested by the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) and were treated at various temperatures ranging from room temperature (25 °C) to 600 °C. Mode-I FT was correlated with tensile strength (TS), ultrasonic velocities, and Young's modulus (YM). Additionally, petrographic and X-ray diffraction analyses were carried out to find the chemical changes resulting from the heat treatment. Further, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to observe the micro structural changes when subjected to high temperatures. These experiments demonstrate that heat treatment has a strong negative impact on the FT and mechanical properties of the rocks. From room temperature to 600 °C, mode-I FT values of massive basalt, giant plagioclase basalt, and tonalite were reduced by nearly 52%, 68%, and 64%, respectively. Also, at all temperature levels, FT and mechanical properties are found to be exponentially correlated. However, the exact nature of the relationship mainly depends on rock type. Besides, TS was found to be a better indicator of degradation degree than the mode-I FT. SEM images show that micro crack density and structural disintegration of the mineral grains increase with temperature. These physical changes confirm the observed reduction in the stiffness of heat-treated crystalline rocks.