CRACK DEVELOPMENT AND ACOUSTIC-EMISSION IN POTASH ROCK

Acoustic emission (AE) techniques under laboratory testing conditions are used to understand the mechanical behavior and deformational processes of uniaxially compressed potash rock. Results obtained from the AE measurements are compared to deformational features identified using optical and electron microscopy. Although the potash rock from Saskatoon can be divided into four types based on the compositional ratio between sylvite, halite, clay, textural homogeneity and structural interlocking, it is shown that the analysis of the AE data collected during a complete load cycle can provide a general picture of the AE behavior. Detailed analysis of AE parameters such as b-value, amplitude and event-duration distribution can be used to monitor progressive changes in crack development.