Estimation of dynamic tensile strength of sandstone

A series of dynamic tests on Kimachi sandstone for measuring dynamic tensile strength are carried out using underwater shock waves. An emulsion explosive is used as the source of dynamic loading, and a pipe filled with water was arranged between the explosive and a cylindrical specimen. The length of the pipe is varied to produce different strengths of the incidence shock wave into the specimen. The velocity at the free end of the specimen and the position of a crack are observed using a laser vibration meter and a high-speed camera, respectively. A simple method of estimating dynamic tensile strength is proposed based on experimental results. The complete velocity profile at the free end without fracture information is completely constructed under a simple assumption. The point at which the crack may be markedly activated has been defined by the velocity profile at the free end as “the averaged fracture point”. Instead of the distance from the free end to the fracture position, the distance from the free end to the averaged fracture point is employed in estimating dynamic tensile strength. The dynamic tensile strength of Kimachi sandstone was obtained by an improved method within strain rates of 10–40 s−1. This study has indicated that the dynamic tensile strength varies with strain rate to the 1/3 power.