• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.153-168
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• 2010

A fifth equation is required to determine the five independent elastic constants of a transversely isotropic rock from compression test of a single specimen. As an approximation proposed by Saint-Venant has been used for long time, it may cause an erroneous result in some cases, especially for specimen with low angle of anisotropy. Three equations were suggested replacing this traditional equation and proved to be applicable by the model analysis in the previous studies. As Saint-Venant's approximation is turned out the same as the first one of them, it has the characteristics that the apparent Young's modulus is monotonously increasing according to the anisotropic angle. The methodology to analyze the elastic constants from four independent strain measurements by uniaxial compressive test of a single standard specimen is concisely described, and the necessity and compatibility of new suggested equations are discussed. Saint-Venant's approximation can determine the elastic constants close to true values and other equations may be unnecessary in specimens with medium to large angle. Nevertheless, they may become applicable because they can produce the almost same amount. For the specimens of small angle of anisotropy, Saint-Venant's approximation may result in out of general ranges or thermodynamic constraints, but other suggested equations can produce the almost true value. Thus they can be applied before other alternative equation is known. The guide map constructed by model study may decide the most compatible one of the three equations.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.363-374
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• 2016

All five independent elastic constants of a transversely isotropic rock sometimes need to be determined from a single specimen. Saint-Venant approximation has been widely used for a long time in the analysis of single specimen test. This paper has proven how this empirical equation can be mathematically transformed into a form of the apparent Young's modulus based on theory of elasticity. The transformed equation is a monotonous function on anisotropic angle and can be useful in the analysis of the in-situ stress measurement in an anisotropic rock mass. The estimations of data in literatures have shown that the measured values of $G^2$ are uniform on anisotropic angles and smaller than that of Saint-Venant's case. This decrement may be caused by sliding of the interface of strata and the decrement rate is inferred to relate well with the combination of bonding condition of strata and strength of rock material. Accumulation of these kinds of studies in the future enables to define the decrement and to determine elastic constants of a transversely isotropic rock from a single specimen from modifying Saint-Venant approximation.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.346-353
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• 2012

Multi-specimen uniaxial compression test has been carried out in order to find the method to determine the five independent elastic constants from a single standard specimen of a transversely isotropic rock. Total 35 specimens of 7 different angles from a large block of rhyolite presenting the flow structure obviously are used in tests. This second report is to focus on the statistical evaluation of measured strains and analyzed elastic constants. And the determination of their true or near-true values is discussed. As the result of RSD analysis, it turns out that the reliability of measured strains is sufficiently obtained and Saint-Venant approximation is well applicable except 15 degree angled specimen in tests. RSD is decreasing on the increase of the angle of anisotropy. This tendency may be caused not only by the decreasing of the deviation of measured strains, but also by the better applicability of Saint-Venant approximation on the increase of angle. It can be concluded that the analyzed values are considered the near-true ones of five independent constants on the high reliability. But the variation of the apparent Young's modulus expected by these values is not proved to match the measured tendency. It is inferred that the factor to decrease the apparent Young's modulus and/or to increase the shear strain, is present in the test or in the nature of the anisotropy in consideration of this inconsistency.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.455-464
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• 2010

The variations of the uniaxial compressive strength, the strains and the elastic constants with respect to the angle of anisotropy are analyzed in order to investigate the characteristics of a transversely isotropic rock experimentally. Total 35 specimens of 7 different angles from a large block of rhyolite presenting the flow structure obviously are used in tests. This study is composed of two reports; the elastic constants are mainly analyzed for the every individual angle in the report No. 1 and they will be discussed synthetically in the report No. 2. From the specimens of 0 and 90 degree, 4 independent elastic constants which can directly be obtained without the help of any other suggested equations, may be referred to the true values. Data variation in the strain measurements differs on the angle is analyzed. That of small angle specimens tends higher than that of large angle specimens. The relation of apparent Young’s modulus and angle is found to be M- or U-shaped. For small angle specimens, Saint-Venant approximation cannot be applied successfully on account of showing the non-monotonous increase, and E1 is analyzed out of the true value range. In the specimen of $\phi$ = 75, the deviation of strain measurement and strength are smallest and 4 all constants are analyzed in the true value range. Therefore, specimen of the angle of around 75 may become preferable if only one specimen should be used in test of a transversely isotropic rock.