Author 1:

Name & Surname: Vaisberg L. A.
Company: Mekhanobr-Tekhnika Research and Engineering Corporation (Saint-Petersburg, Russia)
Work Position: Research Manager
Scientific Degree: Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Contacts: e-mail: gornyi@mtspb.com

Author 2:

Name & Surname: Kameneva E. E.
Company: Petrozavodsk State University (Petrozavodsk, Russia)
Work Position: Assistant Professor
Scientific Degree: Candidate of Engineering Sciences

The article illustrates workability of X-ray computed microtomography (X-ray micro-CT) in the studies of microstructure and physico-mechanical properties of rocks. It is emphasized that the approach to rock disintegration improvement should rest upon the detail analysis of macro- and microstructure of rocks in interconnection with their physicomechanical properties. The authors substantiate that an informative characteristic coupling the properties and structural defects of rocks is the porosity. The prospects offered by the X-ray micro-CT in solving of practical tasks of rock breakage include the quantitative characterization of pore space structure. The advantage of the method is the nondestructive analysis, after which samples can be used in other tests. The authors perform comparative assessment of pore space structure in rocks of different texture and structure: gabbro-diabase, granite and bastard granite. The differences in amount, size, shape, connectivity and distribution of pores in the listed rock types are found. The differential characteristic of distribution of pores by density, size and shape is obtained. It is shown that ultimate compression strength grows if pores are smaller in size, more spherical and have better connectivity. Pores under 40 μm in size do not decrease strength irrespective of their amount. Volumes being the same, bigger and less spherical pores reduce the rock strength.

Authors express their gratitude to Yu. G. Pimenov and D. I. Sokolov, Candidates of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, Russian State University of Oil and Gas, for the assistance in the microtomography studies.

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