Effect of sample disturbance in opalinus clay shales

Abstract

The sample disturbance problem for different geomaterials is reviewed in this thesis. A general discussion on the disturbance sources and complexities of the disturbance problem is followed by detailed reviews on disturbance mechanisms and effects in soil and rock. This investigation leads to the conclusions that the combination of theoretical and physical modeling is an effective way to study the disturbance problem. Following the discussion of sample disturbance in soil and rock, the main aspects of shale behavior and shale sample disturbance are introduced in order to evaluate the applicability of theoretical and physical modeling in shale. It is shown that the coupled chemical - thermal - poromechanical effects of shale behavior may be a major barrier to a successful application of these modeling methods and to a better handling of sample disturbance.