5.1 Information concerning the thermal expansion characteristics of rocks is important in the design of underground excavation where the temperature of the surrounding rock may be altered. Depending on the restraint conditions, thermal strain may cause thermal stress that may affect the stability of underground excavations. Examples of applications where an understanding of rock thermal strain is important include: nuclear waste repositories, underground power stations, compressed air energy storage facilities, energy foundations, and geothermal energy facilities.
5.2 The coefficient of linear thermal expansion, α, of rock is known to vary as the temperature changes. Rock thermal strain is normally not a linear function of temperature. This test method provides a procedure for continuously monitoring thermal strain as a function of temperature. Therefore, information on how the coefficient of linear thermal expansion changes with temperature is obtained.
5.3 Other methods of measuring the coefficient of linear thermal expansion of rock by averaging the thermal strain of a large specimen over a temperature range of many degrees may result in failure to determine the variation in α of that rock for one or more of the following reasons:
5.3.1 α is not always linear with temperature,
5.3.2 Some rocks are anisotropic having directional characteristics which can vary by more than a factor of two. If anisotropy is expected, specimen with different orientations should be prepared and tested.
5.3.3 α may have a negative value in one direction and, at the same time, a positive value in the others.
5.4 Both wire and foil type strain gauges have been successfully employed to measure the thermal expansion coefficients of rock. These coefficients are frequently very small, being on the order of millionths of a millimetre per millimetre for each degree Celsius. The thermal strain of rocks is about one-tenth that of plastics and one-half or one-quarter that of many metals. Therefore, measurement methods for rocks require greater precision than methods that are routinely used on plastics and metals.
Note 4: The quality of the results produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
1.1 This test method covers the laboratory determination of the linear (one-dimensional) coefficient of thermal expansion of rock using bonded electric resistance strain gauges. This test method is intended for ev......
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