Study on Strain Characterization and Failure Location of Rock Fracture Process Using Distributed Optical Fiber under Uniaxial Compression

Abstract

A rock fracture test is a very important method in the study of rock mechanics. Based on the Mechanics Test System (MTS), the dynamic strain response of the failure process of cylindrical granite specimens under uniaxial compression was observed by using distributed optical fiber strain sensors. Two groups of tests were designed and studied for rock sample fracturing. The main comparison and analysis were made between the distributed optical fiber testing technology and the MTS testing system in terms of the circumferential strain response curve and the evolution characteristics of strain with time. The strain characterization of distributed optical fiber in the process of rock fracturing was obtained. The results show that the ring strains measured by the distributed optical fiber sensor and the circumferential strain gauge were consistent, with a minimum ring strain error of 1.27%. The relationship between the strain jump or gradient band of the distributed optical fiber and the crack space on the sample surface is clear, which can reasonably determine the time of crack initiation and propagation, point out the location of the rock failure area, and provide precursory information about rock fracture. The distributed optical fiber strain sensor can realize the linear and continuous measurement of rock mass deformation, which can provide some reference for the study of macro damage evolution and the fracture instability prediction of field engineering rock mass.

Keywords

• uniaxial compression
• rock fracture
• distributed optical fiber
• strain observation