Porosity-permeability Relationships in Clay-bearing Fault Gouge

摘要

We have performed a series of coupled deformation andrnpermeability experiments on “synthetic” fault gouge torninvestigate the influence of “shaliness” on fluid flowrnproperties. Biminerallic gouge layers were sheared betweenrnsteel sliders under triaxial compression and permeabilityrnmeasured continuously using the pore pressure oscillationrntechnique. Permeability was observed to range over six ordersrnof magnitude depending on clay content and sliding. Measuredrnporosity variations, post-test laser particle sizing and directrnobservation of thin-section microstructures allowsrndevelopment of a geometrical model for permeabilityrnevolution in fault gouge containing varying amounts of clay.