Analysis of microscopic pore structures of rocks before and after water absorption

Hydrophilic characteristics of rocks are affected by their microscopic pore structures, which clearly change after water absorption. Water absorption tests and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) experiments on rock samples, located at a site in Tibet, China, were carried out. Changes of rock pore structures before and after water absorption were studied with the distribution of pore sizes and fractal characteristics of pores. The results show that surface porosities, fractal dimensions of pores and the complexity of pore structures increased because the number of new small pores produced increased or the original macropore flow channels were expanded after rocks absorbed water. There were points of inflection on their water absorption curves. After water absorption of other rocks, surface porosities and fractal dimensions of pores and complexity of pore structures decreased as the original pore flow channels became filled. Water absorption curves did not change. Surface porosity and the pore fractal dimensions of rocks have good linear relationships before and after water absorption.