CRACK DEVELOPMENT AND ACOUSTIC-EMISSION IN POTASH ROCK

Acoustic emission (AE) techniques under laboratory testing conditions are used to understand the mechanical behavior and deformational proce sses of uniaxially compressed potash rock. Results obtained from the A E measurements are compared to deformational features identified using optical and electron microscopy. Although the potash rock from Saskat oon can be divided into four types based on the compositional ratio be tween sylvite, halite, clay, textural homogeneity and structural inter locking, it is shown that the analysis of the AE data collected during a complete load cycle can provide a general picture of the AE behavio r. Detailed analysis of AE parameters such as b-value, amplitude and e vent-duration distribution can be used to monitor progressive changes in crack development.