Institute of Geology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Karelian Research Centre):

O. V. Myasnikova, Researcher, e-mail: okmyasn@krc.karelia.ru

V. A. Shekov, Deputy Director of Scientific Work, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

A method for assessment of microdamage to rocks and aggregate from the index of effective porosity and water absorption, based on the modern concept of the rock breaking theory, is proposed. The results of the studies, modelling and experiments, conducted to establish a relationship between natural and induced microdamage and the physico-mechanical characteristics of the material, are reported. Equations for the relation of crushability (durability) to water absorption (degree of microdamage) of the general form Cr = А Ln(W) + В were obtained for igneous rocks on the basis of a phenomenological approach. The authors note that the microjointing of rock is one of the essential factors which affect the strength of aggregate and are responsible for its durability. The conclusion is drawn that the degree of microdamage (microjointing) can be controlled by the indices of porosity and water absorption; in this case, microjointing is not constant for the material analyzed but varies at different rock processing stages.

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7. Myasnikova O. V., Shekov V. A. Stroitelnye Materialy — Building Materials. 2008, No. 7, pp. 26–27.