ROCK STRENGTH

Group 1 | PETE-3202 | Reservoir Geomechanics

Prepared by: Aquino, Barnachea, Coronel, De Guzman, Garcia, C.,
Macalalad, Perez, J.E.
What is Rock Mechanics?
Rock Mechanics is the theoretical
and applied science of the
mechanical behavior of rock. It is the
branch of mechanics concerned with
the response of rock to the force
fields of its physical environment.
Rock Mechanics, as applied in
engineering geology, mining,
petroleum, and civil engineering
practice, is concerned with the
application of principles of
engineering mechanics to the design
of the rock structures generated by
mining, drilling, reservoir production,
or civil construction activity.
Rock Mechanics is a vital decision-
making tool for insuring economic
benefits in all phases of petroleum
reservoir development. Petroleum
Rock Mechanics introduces the
fundamentals of solid mechanics and
applies them to oil and gas related
drilling and well operation and
completion problems.
What is Compressive Strength?
Compressive Strength can be
defined as the ability of the soil or
rock to resist force imposed on it or
the maximum stress that a sample
can withstand under specified
loading conditions.
The principal factors controlling
the strength of solid rocks are:
➢ mineral composition, structure, and
texture
➢ bedding, jointing, and anisotropy
➢ water content
➢ state of stress in the rock mass
On a plane within a rock body,
normal stresses tend to resist
failure while shear stresses tend
to cause failure. If shear stress
exceeds the shear strength,
failure occurs.
Relationship between shear
and normal stresses during a
strength test and (at failure) is
critical to understanding
deformation behavior of the
material.
➢ Hydrostatic Compression Test
➢ Jacketed Test
➢ Unjacketed Test
➢ Uniaxial Compressive Test
➢ Uniaxial Tension Tests
➢ Triaxial Compression Test
➢ Triaxial Extension Tests
➢ Polyaxial or True Triaxial Tests
 ROCK STRENGTH

Group 1 | PETE-3202 | Reservoir Geomechanics

Prepared by: Aquino, Barnachea, Coronel, De Guzman, Garcia, C.,
Macalalad, Perez, J.E.