The effect of temperature on the mechanical properties and workability of rock salt

Abstract

Underground salt mining accounts for about 16 percent of the total salt production worldwide. When excavating salt rock, the cutters of the road header come into contact with the rock. This produces friction and, consequently, a rise in temperature. Generally, as temperature increases, salt gradually loses its plasticity. The extent of these alterations depends on the presence of other minerals in the rock. This paper presents the results of laboratory tests on regularly shaped samples of salt. An analysis was performed of the results of compressive, tensile and induced-shear strength, and of Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, cuttability index and side chipping angle. The testing was conducted on samples with a temperature of about 20°C and samples heated to 50°C and 80°C. The tests showed that as temperature increased, so did compressive and tensile strength, and longitudinal and transverse strain of salt. The temperature increase caused, however, a decrease in shear strength. The cuttability index and the side chipping angle also decreased when the heated samples were being cut. The percentage changes in the parameters within the 60-degree temperature range were as high as several dozen percent.