Mechanical Response of Saturated Geological Rock Mass under Tidal Force

In this paper,the mechanical response of saturated geological rock under tidal force is explored by poroelastic theory.First,we use the free energy formula of saturated rock under a tidal force to study the relationships of pore pressure with stress,and stress with strain.Then we analyze the relationship between rock strain and tidal potential by the equilibrium differential equations of saturated rock under tidal force.Finally,we derive the physical relationship between the two parameters (pore pressure and tidal mean stress) of saturated rock and tidal potential.The relationship shows that:pore pressure is directly proportional with tidal potential,but tidal mean stress of saturated rock is inversely proportional with tidal potential.The ratio coefficient is related not only to the Lame coefficients of rock skeletons,but also to the Biot modulus.By using this model to analyze observational well water level of C-18 well which locates in Huili,Sichuan Province,the well level response coefficient (D) was estimated.This way,we derive the Skempton coefficient (B),the coefficient A and C which refer to the response coefficients of pore pressure and tidal stress to tidal potential respectively.Then we compare the differences among each coefficient in coupling and uncoupling conditions.It shows that for saturated rocks,the response of stress and pore pressure to earth tides is a product of coupling,and it is necessary to take into account the coupling effect when we study the mechanical response.The model will provide the basis not only for the study of mechanics and hydrodynamics of well-confined aquifer systems,and the mechanics of faulting under tidal force,but also for quantitative research of the triggering mechanism of tidal forces.