Relationship between Aspect Ratio and Crack Density in Porous-Cracked Rocks Using Experimental and Optimization Methods

Aspect ratio and crack density are essential parameters to understand the physical properties of porous-cracked rocks, although it is difficult to independently determine each parameter, as both are closely linked. The objective of this study is to propose a relationship between aspect ratio and crack density that can be used to solve for each through experimental and optimization methods. Two different constitutive equations are solved to create expressions explicitly defining aspect ratio and crack density, with all remaining variables arranged as functions of elastic wave velocity. Ten core specimens extracted from construction sites, with diameters of 46 mm, are subjected to artificial weathering to identify how their crack density and aspect ratio evolved with time. The artificial weathering process consisted of chemical and physical weathering cycles using saline solution and slake durability tests, respectively. Compressional and shear wave velocities are measured at every weathering step, and both aspect ratio and crack density are calculated. The random forest as an optimization method is selected to define the important score among input variables. The calculated aspect ratios and crack densities are converted into a crack porosity, the reliability of which is verified through percentage of crack porosity (~6%) in total porosity. This study demonstrates that the relationship between aspect ratio and crack density is robust and has wide-ranging applications in determining individual aspect ratio and crack density parameters in porous-cracked rock.