Rock is a complex brittle solid consisting of heterogeneous aggregates of polycrystalline minerals which are characteristically anisotropic. An estimation of rock damage induced by cyclic temperature changes is important for planning utilization of underground space for storing energy. A method of predicting the damage induced by temperature variations from the thermal dilation characteristics of intact and fractured mine rocks was formulated and tested in this study. A dilatometer system capable of controlled heating and cooling rates was designed and used for the measurements. Test results of the thermal dilation characteristics of granitic rock types for heating up to and cooling from 400° C at different rates up to 50° C/min indicate that predominant damage takes place during initial exposure of intact rock to temperature cycling. The damage induced in granitic rocks reaches a steady state after three successive thermal cycles.

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