Change in the elastic and rheological properties of structurally heterogeneous geomaterials under multiple weak impacts

Abstract

Abstract The paper discusses the lab-scale studies of the effect exerted by multiple weak impacts on creep in a sample of an equivalent geomaterial additionally subjected to static compression. It is found that under weak impacts for a long time, the creep strain rate first grows and then lowers down to a stationary value. Weak impacts initiate P-waves in the sample. The P-wave velocity increases non-monotonously with growing number of impacts. The change in the elastic and rheological properties of the material is connected with the change in its internal structure under the influence of external loading.