Recent research conducted by a team led by LI Guobin from the Key Laboratory of Insitu Property Improving Mining of the Ministry of Education at Taiyuan University of Technology has unveiled critical insights into the effects of water and carbon dioxide (CO2) on the shear mechanical properties of straight jointed sandstone. This study, published in ‘Taiyuan Ligong Daxue xuebao’ (Journal of Taiyuan University of Technology), holds significant implications for the construction and geotechnical engineering sectors, particularly in the context of carbon dioxide storage and the stability of geological formations.
As the construction industry increasingly explores methods to enhance sustainability, understanding the interaction between injected fluids and rock formations becomes paramount. The research focused on shear tests performed under three conditions: drying, water injection, and CO2 injection. The findings revealed that both water and CO2 injection lead to a weakening of shear strength in straight jointed rock, with water exhibiting a more pronounced effect. “Our results indicate a clear sliding failure pattern in shear stress-shear displacement curves across all test conditions,” LI stated, underscoring the importance of these findings for predicting the stability of rock formations used in construction and storage applications.
The implications of this research extend beyond theoretical interest. With carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies gaining traction, understanding how these processes affect geological formations is essential for optimizing safety and efficacy. The empirical formula developed by the researchers, which correlates shear strength with confining pressure, fluid type, and injection pressure, offers a valuable tool for engineers and project managers. The study reports an average error of just 5.69% between experimental and theoretical data, highlighting the reliability of the proposed model.
In practical terms, these insights could lead to more informed decision-making in construction projects that involve underground fluid injection, such as those related to environmental remediation or energy storage. The ability to predict shear strength changes with injected fluids could enhance the safety of construction operations and reduce the risk of structural failures, thereby protecting investments and lives.
As the construction sector continues to evolve with a focus on sustainability and innovation, research like that of LI Guobin and his team is crucial. It not only advances scientific understanding but also provides actionable knowledge that can be leveraged in the field. For more information on this groundbreaking work, you can visit Key Laboratory of Insitu Property Improving Mining of Ministry of Education.
