The effect of cracks on the compressibility of rock

Journal of Geophysical Research (1896-1977)Volume 70, Issue 2 p. 381-389 The effect of cracks on the compressibility of rock J. B. Walsh, J. B. WalshSearch for more papers by this author J. B. Walsh, J. B. WalshSearch for more papers by this author First published: 15 January 1965 https://doi.org/10.1029/JZ070i002p00381Citations: 995AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract Compressibility of porous material is greater than that of solid material of the same composition, and the difference is shown to be equal to rate of change of porosity with pressure, for any pore shape or concentration. Expressions for compressibility are given for two special cases for material of low pore concentration: for spherical pores and for narrow cracks. Comparison of the two cases shows that a crack increases compressibility nearly as much as a spherical pore of the same diameter as the length of the crack, although porosity in these two cases differs enormously. For material in which all porosity occurs as narrow cracks, it is shown that porosity can, in certain cases, be determined quite precisely from compressibility measurements. Citing Literature Volume70, Issue215 January 1965Pages 381-389 RelatedInformation