ABSTRACT
The mechanism associated with the mechanical weakening or softening of such geo-materials is thought to be due to the variation of the distance between sheets of clay minerals when clay fragments absorb or desorb water. X-Ray Computed Tomography imaging technique can be used to visualize water-absorption process of soft rocks samples. A series of parametric studies was carried out to check the influences of the some of the factors on the water content, deformation of surrounding rock and tangential stress in lining. Initially dry samples can be subjected to saturation and water migration characteristics may be obtained. Water migration in geomaterials takes place in two different forms, namely, molecular diffusion and seepage. The seepage phenomenon involves the relative motion of water with respect to solid phase and water is free to move within the solid skeleton if any pressure gradient exists.
