Abstract
Thermal expansion measurements of granitic rock at high temperature and confining pressure demonstrate the effect of fractures and fracture fillings. Based on mode of fractures, samples are grouped into those with: 1) no fracture, 2) a single artificial fracture and 3) a single natural fracture filled with materials. Results indicate that while fractures alone have very little effect on thermal expansion of the rock samples, fractures with fillings cause distinctive thermal expansion behavior due to contraction in fracture fillings during heating. Therefore, in evaluating rock mass thermal expansion behavior, the effects of fracture fillings should be considered in regard to fracture densities, compositions and thickness of fracture-filling materials.
