Determination of In-Situ Stress From Ori PDF
Determination of In-Situ Stress From Ori PDF
Determination of In-Situ Stress From Ori PDF
P.M. Dight
Senior Principal
Coffey Mining (a division of Coffey Geosciences Pty Ltd)
ABSTRACT: This paper presents the results of a program of determining the current insitu stress based on
testing under cores taken from exploration drilling. The analysis of the results uses the deformation rate
technique (DRA) developed by Yamamoto and published in1990. The results when rotated into the
appropriate direction are confirmed in direction and magnitude by two independent stress measurement
programs using Hydraulic Fracture.
Work has also been undertaken to confirm the technique with CSIRO Hollow Inclusion (HI) tests. The initial
testing which established the veracity of the method was undertaken in May 2002. Confirmatory testing of
previously tested under cores was completed in August 2004. These tests not only showed the current insitu
stress, but also confirmed the Kaiser Effect stresses measured by the Acoustic Emission (AE) technique, as
well as revealed the maximum load that the samples had been tested. Six independent test programs have
been undertaken using different personnel and different laboratories to confirm that the approach is robust,
simple and elegant.
The results are also supported by a tectogenetic study (after Bogacz et al 2002) undertaken for the site. The
results confirm a low stress field for the proposed mine, When combined with the tectogenetic study they
provide an understanding of the local tectonic regime responsible for the mineralizing event hence provide a
guide to exploration potential.
The insitu stress determined from these tests is not the Kaiser effect (KE) although the KE can be measured
from the procedure as noted by Yamamoto in 1990. Using the knowledge that the stress is locked into the
sample, it can be demonstrated that other methods such as AE also measure the same effect but with
considerably less reliability. The maximum stress measured from the tests undertaken on diamond drill core
is a function of the orientation of the hole and the insitu stress. This is demonstrated in the paper. The stress
measurement technique is independent of elastic theory and can be shown to work on samples previously
tested. That is, it is a non destructive test.
1 INTRODUCTION
also been shown to measure the maximum previous
There have been many attempts to identify the insitu stress measured in core recovered from diamond
stress from diamond drill core since J Kaiser (1950, drilling (Villaescusa et al 2003 etc).
1953) identified that materials have a stress memory Villaescusa showed that by using sub core obtained
even when tested well below their maximum from oriented core that the stress field could be
strength in the “elastic” range. Kaiser discovered determined. There has been discussion in the
that acoustic emission (AE) could determine the literature (eg. Lavrov 2002, and Holcomb 1993)
previous maximum stress that the sample had who claim that a 3D sample is needed. This author
experienced through the onset of a significant concludes that Villaescusa’s approach is valid.
amount of noise/sound. The ability to obtain a measure of the stress field
The effect has become known as the Kaiser Effect from core is clearly an incentive given the cost of
(KE). The phenomenon has been confirmed in alternate insitu techniques (eg Hydraulic fracture
many laboratory tests (Goodman, 1963, Kurita, et (HF), Hollow Inclusion cell (HI cell (CSIRO, NZ)),
al., 1979, etc (see Lavrov 2002)). The effect has borehole slotter, etc). This is even more important
given that stress rotation/ local issues (lithology
changes, faulting, etc) will impact on
2 SAMPLES
The initial samples for DRA testing following the
AE testing were recovered from three geotechnical
holes drilled for the project. The holes were GT098,
GT099 and GT101a.
A typical section is for GT101a is shown in Figure Figure 2 Model of sub sampling
1. This is approximately 454m vertically below the
collar. At the time of recovery the overburden depth
3 RESULTS
8 CONCLUSIONS
The DRA testing has shown that the insitu stress (IS)
Figure 7 Insitu Stress Locked in Grain Size and the KE can be determined. Testing has been
undertaken in blind tests,
Testing has also bee undertaken by four independent
6 COMPARISON OF TEST RESULTS
testing groups with a variety of equipment and strain
A summary of the test results for each of the gauge lengths.
approaches presented in this paper are presented in The results are robust and repeatable. Finally they
Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 (see at completion of report). A are also inexpensive to perform.
comparison can be made between the inferred stress
9 RECOMMENDATIONS
direction from tectogenesis (Bogacz et al 2002), HF
(McMahon, 1996, AMC 2002), DRA (Insitu Stress The testing to date has been undertaken with a
(IS) and KE) and CSIRO Hollow Inclusion cell background of a known problem. Testing from
results (HI). All the results can be easily correlated other sites will be needed to develop further
except for the Kaiser Effect. confidence in this approach.
It appears that the correlation to the Tectogenetic
7 OVERSTRESS IN CORE
model is very strong and this aspect of the research
One reason for over stress resulting from the coring should be investigated further. If this approach has
process is demonstrated in Figure 8. In this example merit, then if there is any oriented core from
the principal stresses are: exploration target sites, the local stress orientation
and magnitude could be determined for exploration
σ1 = 16.7 MPa 288o/4o targets.
The method may be applicable to examining the
σ2= 8.6 MPa 194o/37o, and stresses adjacent to open pit walls or to examine the
effect of blast damage. These could then be
σ3= 6.2 MPa 027o/43o. modeled using stress analysis programs.
10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Table 2 Borehole HYD-2 Principal Stresses Solved on Horizontal Plane (That is: HF results are reference)