ABSTRACT
For investigation of the mechanical and failure characteristics of the laminated salt rock, a series of conventional test were carried out. Three types of samples, pure salt rock samples, pure interlayer (mud rock) samples and salt rock samples with interlayer, were prepared in this study. Uniaxial and triaxial compression experiments showed that the presence of mud rock interlayers in salt rocks affects the mechanical properties and failure pattern of the salt rock significantly. The presence of hard mud rocks in salt rock formations enhances the stiffness and strength of the composite rocks. An interesting ‘stress drop’ phenomenon was observed and then was interpreted by using the Cosserat medium model. The present results may be expected to provide useful reference for the site selection and design of oil/gas storage cavern in bedded salt rock formations.
