Predicting the Mode, Susceptibility, and Rate of Weathering of Shales

Abstract

Fifty three shale samples from various shale units in Colorado, Missouri, and Illinois were collected and tested for slake index, jar slake, and slake durability. Sets of samples were collected from the same unit, but with different degrees of weathering. Analysis of laboratory tests and trends along these weathering profiles showed two distinct weathering behaviors, based on the mode and degree of slaking. Minor slaking of the surfaces of blocks, termed "chip" or "surface" slaking, represents a slaking process which slows down over time. This occurs because as surface layers slough off, the exposed surface area decreases as the intact sample reduces in size. Breakdown of the blocks through microfractures is termed "body" or "block" slaking and represents a slaking process that speeds up over time, as induced fractures rapidly degrade material integrity. Furthermore, the weathering process can induce changes in both modes and rates of slaking.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0895-0563

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2024 The Authors, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Dec 1996

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