High strain rate damage of Carrara marble

摘要: Several cases of rock pulverization have been observed along major active faults in granite and other crystalline rocks. They interpreted as due to coseismic pervasive microfracturing. In contrast, little is known about carbonates. With the aim understanding carbonate pulverization, we investigate high strain rate (c. 100 s−1) behavior unconfined Carrara marble through a set experiments with Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar. Three final states were observed: (1) at low strain, sample kept intact, without apparent macrofractures; (2) failure localized few fractures once stress larger than MPa, corresponding 0.65%; (3) above 1.3% pulverized. Contrary granite, transition controlled by rather rate. Yet, rate, from same displayed only fractures. This suggests that done pulverization. Marble seems easier pulverize granite. creates paradox: finely pulverized rocks should be prevalent any zone near carbonates, but this not what observed. A alternatives are proposed solve paradox.