The effects of the temperature and the humidity on the properties of the elastic wave propagation in granite

摘要

In this study, the measurement of the P-wave velocity in granite was conducted under controlled temperature and humidity. Lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) ceramics were used for sensors that were attached directly on the surface of the rock specimen of 60 mm cube. It was found that P-wave propagation properties were affected by the environmental conditions. The relative humidity had the strong effect on the P-wave velocity. When the temperature was higher than 55 degree centigrade and the relative humidity increased, the P-wave velocity decreased due to the crack growth by stress corrosion. It can be concluded that subcritical crack growth caused by stress corrosion occurs for microcracks due to the thermal stress and the water vapor.