Characterization of discontinuities in the Stripa granite. Time-scale heater experiment

The report describes the methodology and results of a detailed study of geologic discontinuities associated with the time-scale heater test at the Stripa mine in Sweden. Mapping of the floor of the experiment tunnel coupled with observation of core samples from beneath the drift indicate that four N-striking shear fractures dip steeply through the 6 x 10 x 25-m rock mass. Oblique-thrust faulting has produced displacements of up to 2 m on one of the surfaces, and its inferred 3-D configuration is consistent with observed slickensiding. Resolution of locally measured principal stresses on the shear plane yields a theoretical shear direction that also coincides with the slickensiding. Four distinct joint sets exist locally, one of which coincides with the shear fractures. Another lies nearly horizontal, and two others are steeply inclined. Fracture length and spacing distributions for the four joint sets are shown to be lognormal. Two of the sets lie perpendicular to principal stress directions. The fact that one of these two joint sets apparently post-dates other fracturing and is normal to the minimum principal stress suggests that it is due to isostatic rebound