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Can weathering improve the toughness of a fractured rock? A case study using the San Giacomo granite

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Abstract

The physical–mechanical behaviour of the weathered San Giacomo granite, Sardinia, has been investigated using a combination of physical–mechanical tests and microstructural analysis. Fieldwork and microscopy suggest a pervasive microfracture system developed on a pre-existing magmatic quartz anisotropy. Alteration indices, chemical analyses and mineralogy indicate that the yellow staining is produced by the circulation of oxygen-rich rainwater through microfractures in the rock, resulting in the oxidation of biotites. Apart from the obvious modification of the original grey colouring, the precipitation of Fe-oxides and hydroxides has welded fractures together, leading to the partial recovery of the physical–mechanical properties previously compromised due to microfracturing.

Résumé

Le comportement physico-mécanique du granite altéré de San Giacomo (Sardaigne) a été étudié à partir de plusieurs essais physico-mécaniques et des analyses microstructurales. Les observations de terrain et au microscope suggèrent qu’un système généralisé de micro-fractures s’est développé à partir d’une anisotropie préexistante des quartz d’origine magmatique. Des indices d’altération, des analyses chimiques et minéralogiques indiquent que la coloration jaune est produite par la circulation d’eaux de pluie, riches en oxygène, au travers des micro-fractures de la roche, avec pour conséquence l’oxydation des biotites. En dehors de la modification évidente de la couleur grise d’origine, les précipitations d’oxydes et d’hydroxydes de fer ont soudé ensemble les fractures, conduisant à une récupération partielle des propriétés physico-mécaniques qui avaient été affaiblies par la micro-fracturation.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Cofin 2008 grant (G. Oggiano) and Sardinia Government L.R. 7/2007—n° CRP2_104 grant (L. Casini and S. Cuccuru).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Botaniche, Ecologiche e Geologiche, Università di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100, Sassari, Italy

    Stefano Cuccuru, Leonardo Casini & Giacomo Oggiano

  2. A.R.P.A. Dip. Prov. Sassari, Via Rockefeller 58, 07100, Sassari, Italy

    Gian Piero Cherchi

Authors
  1. Stefano Cuccuru
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  2. Leonardo Casini
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  3. Giacomo Oggiano
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  4. Gian Piero Cherchi
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Correspondence to Stefano Cuccuru.

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Cuccuru, S., Casini, L., Oggiano, G. et al. Can weathering improve the toughness of a fractured rock? A case study using the San Giacomo granite. Bull Eng Geol Environ 71, 557–567 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-012-0416-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-012-0416-9

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