Abstract
In order to understand the combined effect of elevated temperature and confining pressure on fracture toughness, fracture toughness experiments were carried out (1) at elevated temperatures from room temperature to 200°C, (2) at confining pressure from atmospheric pressure to 9MPa using the single edge-notched round bar in bending (SENRBB) specimen of Kimachi sandstone. The experimental results showed that the fracture toughness of Kimachi sandstone did not vary significantly at temperature up to 125°C and increased with elevated temperature beyond 125°C. The fracture toughness of sandstone and tuff was found to be significantly affected by increasing confining pressure.
