Effect of induction unloading on weakening of rock mechanics properties

The effects of induction unloading such as drilling, blasting, lancing and water-infusion softening on weakening of rock mechanics properties were investigated. Three stress paths were chosen as test schemes corresponding to the triaxial compressive test, pre-peak and post-peak unloading the confining pressure tests. The results show that compression deformation is the main cause of rock failure under loading condition. However, the strong dilatation leads to the rock failure along unloading direction. Rock failure happens even under little axial stress with confining pressure unloading. Poisson ratio increases with the decrease of confining pressure during the process of unloading. Elastic modulus increases slowly along with the decline of confining pressure, but decreases rapidly when unloaded to yielding strength. It shows that the weakening rate of rock intensity tends to be faster with easily failure under the unloading condition.