Impact of Rock Properties on Density Estimation Using Core Data

Abstract

A material's density, which is calculated by dividing its mass by its volume, is one of its fundamental characteristics.  However, it might be challenging to determine a correct density for some rock types.  Numerous factors contribute to this challenge, including the material's uneven volume, porosity, moisture content, permeability, and the absence of a precise definition of density.

Accurately estimating the overall volume of the rock core is the primary challenge in calculating its bulk density.  We did not look only into four popular methods for determining a material's bulk density, but also looked at the problem of the rock core becoming saturated with moisture.  A variety of seven distinct types of rock were used for this testing, ranging from extremely permeable sandstone and blast furnace slag with a significant amount of internal pore space to highly competent granite and dolomites. In addition we looked at four distinct approaches that are frequently used to calculate a material's bulk density.

 These techniques included the caliper method, wax immersion, instantaneous water immersion, and wax-shrink wrap immersion.  The wax-immersion method was found to be the most accurate of the four techniques examined.  This resulted from the liquid waxes' capacity to closely conform to the sample's surface pores, providing the most precise estimation of the sample's volume.