Abstract
A new type of shear-flow-visualization coupling test apparatus was developed to investigate the hydraulic conductivity alteration and fracturing process of intact soft sedimentary rock (pumice tuff) during shear deformation. The design of new apparatus allows both direct shear test and hydraulic conductivity test to be carried out at the same time. In addition, it is possible to observe the specimen surface during experiment. Shear/normal stress, volumetric flow rate and deformation (shear/normal displacements) can be obtained directly. Area of visible fractures and local normal displacement of fractured specimen were obtained by the image processing technique. With these obtained values, especially, the area of visible fractures and the local normal displacement of fracture revealed the advantage of new apparatus for the shear-flow coupling. This study shows one of new directions on the shear-flow coupling experiment of rock.
