Preliminary results on the estimation of porosity in intact rock through InfraRed Thermography

Simone Mineo (a) & Giovanna Pappalardo (b)
(a) Department of Earth, Environmental and Resources Science, Federico II University of Naples, Largo San Marcellino, 10, 80138, Naples, Italy. E-mail: simone.mineo@unina.it (b) Department of Biologic, Geologic and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Corso Italia, 57, 95129, Catania, Italy.

This research is focused on preliminary results achieved with a new test for the prediction of porosity through InfraRed Thermography. The analysis of the thermal behavior of rocks proved an innovative practice for the estimation of such an important property, considered one of the key factors in rock mechanics. The test was performed on artificially heated sandstone samples whose physical properties were previously estimated. The cooling trend was described both graphically and numerically, taking into account cooling curves, along with a new index named Cooling Rate Index. Results show that such index is strictly linked to porosity; thus, it can be employed to find reliable equations for its prediction. This study brings a novelty in rock mechanics, laying the foundation for future, innovative researches aimed to validate this methodology in a wider scale.

InfraRed Thermography, Cooling Rate Index, Intact Rock, Porosity, Cooling curve