Acoustic Emissions in Rock Deformation and Failure: New Insights from Q-Statistical Analysis

Entropy (Basel). 2023 Apr 21;25(4):701. doi: 10.3390/e25040701.

Abstract

We propose a new statistical analysis of the Acoustic Emissions (AE) produced in a series of triaxial deformation experiments leading to fractures and failure of two different rocks, namely, Darley Dale Sandstone (DDS) and AG Granite (AG). By means of q-statistical formalism, we are able to characterize the pre-failure processes in both types of rocks. In particular, we study AE inter-event time and AE inter-event distance distributions. Both of them can be reproduced with q-exponential curves, showing universal features that are observed here for the first time and could be important in order to understand more in detail the dynamics of rock fractures.

Keywords: Acoustic Emissions; interoccurrence events; nonadditive entropies; nonextensive statistical mechanics; rock deformations and failures.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.