Influence of Pore Structure Characteristics on Grain Bulk Modulus in Underground Rock Masses: A Hydro-Mechanical Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation

Influence of Pore Structure Characteristics on Grain Bulk Modulus in Underground Rock Masses: A Hydro-Mechanical Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Influence of Pore Structure Characteristics on Grain Bulk Modulus in Underground Rock Masses: A Hydro-Mechanical Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation Min-Jun Kim, Junhyung Choi, Eui-Seob Park, Byung-Gon Chae, Myungsun Kim, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8526494/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 01 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract We present an evaluation of the grain bulk modulus of rocks through experimental and theoretical methods. Unjacketed tests were performed on three rock types—Berea sandstone, Idaho sandstone, and Hwangdeung granite—to measure grain-scale compressibility. Theoretical estimates were obtained using mineral composition data and the Voigt–Reuss–Hill averaging method. To examine the role of pore structure, X-ray computed tomography (CT) was employed to visualize and quantify pore geometry, including isolated pores. Experimental results indicated material-dependent variation in grain bulk modulus not directly correlated with conventional mechanical properties. Theoretical values were consistently higher than those of experimental measurements, with deviations attributed to pore-scale characteristics unaccounted for in the theoretical model. X-ray CT analysis confirmed that isolated pores contribute to additional volumetric deformation, which is unaccounted for in volume fraction-based models. A correlation between theoretical estimates and experimental values was derived to improve the applicability of the model. Conclusively, we present a systematic methodology for accurately evaluating grain bulk modulus by integrating experimental and theoretical approaches, offering foundational data and insight critical for geomechanical modeling in deep subsurface applications such as radioactive waste disposal or underground liquid hydrogen storage. Physical sciences/Engineering Earth and environmental sciences/Solid earth sciences Pore structure Grain bulk modulus Unjacketed test Volume fraction-based model Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Highlights.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 01 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 21 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 21 Jan, 2026 Reviews received at journal 20 Jan, 2026 Reviews received at journal 17 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 16 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 12 Jan, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 12 Jan, 2026 Editor invited by journal 12 Jan, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 08 Jan, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 08 Jan, 2026 First submitted to journal 05 Jan, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8526494","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":574093604,"identity":"2b34083a-7620-45b5-b42d-5e15e9259155","order_by":0,"name":"Min-Jun Kim","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Min-Jun","middleName":"","lastName":"Kim","suffix":""},{"id":574093606,"identity":"dd4b874f-2c89-45c2-9e63-ce2e9c567191","order_by":1,"name":"Junhyung Choi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Junhyung","middleName":"","lastName":"Choi","suffix":""},{"id":574093607,"identity":"c6438226-8be9-4cf5-8c0e-1b1cdb320bbc","order_by":2,"name":"Eui-Seob Park","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Eui-Seob","middleName":"","lastName":"Park","suffix":""},{"id":574093609,"identity":"73d05c3b-962c-42ab-9446-ab3f87c9e37d","order_by":3,"name":"Byung-Gon Chae","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Byung-Gon","middleName":"","lastName":"Chae","suffix":""},{"id":574093610,"identity":"4674653f-b2c7-42af-95a4-a078adb250bf","order_by":4,"name":"Myungsun Kim","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Myungsun","middleName":"","lastName":"Kim","suffix":""},{"id":574093611,"identity":"35c568f4-8e0f-4236-a297-5960b68ce048","order_by":5,"name":"Jong-Won Lee","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA0UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACPhAhUZHAAxMwIKiFDazlDMlaGNsS4AJEaGFvPsBgOS9NRt79dAJzRQWDsXkDIS08xxIYJLfl8Bieyd3AeOYMg5nMAUJaJHIMgFoqeAwbgFoa2xhsJAg6TP79BwbJOUAt/W+BWv4Ro0UCGFaSDTk88hIgWxoYzAhr4UkzOCBxLI3HQOLthoMNxySMCWrhZz/88LFETbK9fH/uxocNNTaGMwhpAYHDIIMNDjAwABFBOyCA8QOQkG8gTvEoGAWjYBSMQAAACjc1eMl2tBoAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jong-Won","middleName":"","lastName":"Lee","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-01-06 04:23:16","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8526494/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8526494/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40373-1","type":"published","date":"2026-03-01T15:59:03+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":100231971,"identity":"a2b586cf-7e83-4c5a-b45a-28d2a3cd7c24","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":9046153,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Figure.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/76d2ddc09ffeb01fbbddba16.docx"},{"id":100370285,"identity":"51180d43-3a3c-4103-ab02-e4f02142a3b1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:05:14","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":74073,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Manuscript.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/d25db68f5b83136ac40172fc.docx"},{"id":100231968,"identity":"84cb29d3-162b-4509-8f60-7a92c794488b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"docx","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":20389,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Table.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/67f4dcb7d4bb58c53b8bb30f.docx"},{"id":100231967,"identity":"532c8707-2586-4a2d-9f43-82b2f2a8fe4c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"json","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":7681,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"53ac2d8b957043a49830c932d1556e84.json","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/9dc2fdaea80c16d13efb8e34.json"},{"id":100231969,"identity":"82894878-cc18-45c7-a02c-624573174712","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"docx","order_by":4,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":15989,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Highlights.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/b1197c1814a75cdb547f644b.docx"},{"id":100370716,"identity":"4d3df250-f108-4106-930d-08934a6b77c2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:07:33","extension":"xml","order_by":5,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":141791,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"53ac2d8b957043a49830c932d1556e841enriched.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/a18e114978a5962c69e13c6c.xml"},{"id":100370244,"identity":"d91af4df-fc4d-4212-8b4f-c759bf49155e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:02:37","extension":"jpeg","order_by":6,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":548884,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/17f2b6b3e99d157c55645876.jpeg"},{"id":100370594,"identity":"42f9f873-d32d-487a-9723-ead959142326","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:06:41","extension":"jpeg","order_by":7,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":468360,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage10.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/524730195b98871b340c615f.jpeg"},{"id":100371182,"identity":"36094d18-17ca-483d-b3a3-a5f289779f86","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:09:35","extension":"jpeg","order_by":8,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":1139476,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage11.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/00b0da996a644fa75893f2ea.jpeg"},{"id":100231986,"identity":"a0fc4c98-f1d1-4f2f-9f6b-f762667a2402","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"jpeg","order_by":9,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":1097279,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage12.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/5c315d3209d43e39226a6c80.jpeg"},{"id":100370580,"identity":"8073b4b8-f821-484e-a847-a8655fcddfd0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:06:37","extension":"jpeg","order_by":10,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":1035001,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage13.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/f7c3c89eda42619d65601b58.jpeg"},{"id":100370272,"identity":"70971e94-c369-4b6c-9fda-20e9ce75d066","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:05:12","extension":"jpeg","order_by":11,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":378375,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage14.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/457726aa39a95a7265400231.jpeg"},{"id":100231978,"identity":"4d0f4765-4e3d-4f06-b73b-b5dc05f56795","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"jpeg","order_by":12,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":298714,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage15.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/1dcb79d51a3aff0a10fcf382.jpeg"},{"id":100231991,"identity":"b64b1ff9-d3f8-4497-af36-9aaf5bda1f80","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"jpeg","order_by":13,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":293977,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/b8b136ca48ecf6d5ccd46f5d.jpeg"},{"id":100231976,"identity":"7c2cd476-29e9-42b6-8adc-ece3b336ca5c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"jpeg","order_by":14,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":475394,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/4351855ac6f31fe499768583.jpeg"},{"id":100231992,"identity":"a3e4bac2-b0f7-40df-8728-7783fbcfde37","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"jpeg","order_by":15,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":772858,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage4.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/548faab5a70c5615e677b8b8.jpeg"},{"id":100231981,"identity":"ece0cd32-49c4-4d5f-a0d5-00d96b55d97c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"jpeg","order_by":16,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":524611,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage5.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/5957fd81086cdfb17d34c29f.jpeg"},{"id":100231990,"identity":"cd06354c-e972-4a59-abe0-dcee68ca7e4c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"jpeg","order_by":17,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":348475,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage6.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/8d4dafd94bf8de2ca2b13cb6.jpeg"},{"id":100231996,"identity":"0002bbb1-f923-47de-a9ed-c0b99b433840","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:37","extension":"jpeg","order_by":18,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":197845,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage7.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/015951fca2d5bbe694875273.jpeg"},{"id":100231985,"identity":"0e86af03-3700-472d-8535-6e2e62a12045","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"jpeg","order_by":19,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":669308,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage8.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/9a199aaad1faeaab2d6f2d06.jpeg"},{"id":100371288,"identity":"ce63a7e2-b1d9-4a78-8bbd-78925c596f4b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:09:46","extension":"jpeg","order_by":20,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":149505,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage9.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/8eddb43850d944f3ab898d36.jpeg"},{"id":100370547,"identity":"8e46148e-7b96-432b-b044-c623509c7b3c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:06:24","extension":"png","order_by":21,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":176487,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/c1fe3f1eec28031dc229c44f.png"},{"id":100231998,"identity":"2ac77e0d-e5e2-4017-96c3-6a7bab7bb0a4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:37","extension":"png","order_by":22,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":174650,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage10.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/d0a62f74f98e86a832b5f5cf.png"},{"id":100371793,"identity":"38a63431-e572-4d98-a728-85ca4cbf9cb7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:10:55","extension":"png","order_by":23,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":324772,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage11.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/acf0d85e55076d62018f4de9.png"},{"id":100231983,"identity":"18db7ae1-2909-44a3-8a81-d3f458af7779","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"png","order_by":24,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":254607,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage12.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/439dc80679e0f7a07c060026.png"},{"id":100370519,"identity":"58ecc639-311e-4c24-906a-3144754bc27c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:06:15","extension":"png","order_by":25,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":272179,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage13.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/90f9872edfc6b1a13e35e6a5.png"},{"id":100231988,"identity":"52bbddc5-fe54-4305-a65b-54a3c4357794","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"png","order_by":26,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":62843,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage14.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/3692da5198e56dd371775b86.png"},{"id":100370171,"identity":"ae578944-00ea-4c62-bf6a-243be644895b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:00:12","extension":"png","order_by":27,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":62276,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage15.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/f435cd2ef83c6e72a7f4d4ac.png"},{"id":100232003,"identity":"19247bc5-6571-44bb-9e5a-35737caf502b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:37","extension":"png","order_by":28,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":149750,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/03fb4c1422b03852ee6a542e.png"},{"id":100231995,"identity":"c560460e-d1ce-4924-8a5c-8dd4d37a6798","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:37","extension":"png","order_by":29,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":149667,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/0ad7676398721f6985fcad9b.png"},{"id":100371213,"identity":"81fc9826-e1bf-4195-9993-925f847478da","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:09:39","extension":"png","order_by":30,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":259860,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/16b088158740b6294ec71f72.png"},{"id":100371302,"identity":"76f0329e-9ddc-42da-bd60-2c899da4e28a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:09:47","extension":"png","order_by":31,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":109967,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/4b697d650682ba38d9d81909.png"},{"id":100232001,"identity":"6271b91e-6597-4fa0-a44d-9b96576848a5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:37","extension":"png","order_by":32,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":68089,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/4a6d339f68366ed50ddea0cc.png"},{"id":100371307,"identity":"2ad210d8-d332-4648-8cf2-d8ef6aee2d63","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:09:48","extension":"png","order_by":33,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":40623,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage7.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/959e62b67c7f8d135e0437be.png"},{"id":100370938,"identity":"921cc9c8-8b07-446e-a7bf-edb4837ac329","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-16 08:09:01","extension":"png","order_by":34,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":123528,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage8.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/59b68c80076760ff60271290.png"},{"id":100231993,"identity":"cdf8d753-8c4e-450e-9e70-3c84b7ef4b34","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:37","extension":"png","order_by":35,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":27648,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage9.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/5c49590a452290c1766b5315.png"},{"id":100232000,"identity":"f26bf84e-50f3-4a3a-a79e-e540d492cc34","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:37","extension":"xml","order_by":36,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":141889,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"53ac2d8b957043a49830c932d1556e841structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/64b8c4402b20b29f007da3af.xml"},{"id":100232004,"identity":"6f84f794-3b05-4c35-a8fa-60ebffc62148","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:37","extension":"html","order_by":37,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":156787,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/abc47e6134ffbd572bc6da8a.html"},{"id":103765873,"identity":"88d6be06-1d27-4443-b2fd-3cb5d4b13117","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-02 16:10:45","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1871190,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1_covered_dd2e6a6f-fa3e-4eba-a6bf-38dedbd68968.pdf"},{"id":100231975,"identity":"3719d92d-375a-47e0-b97f-d375b06a2205","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-14 11:45:36","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":15989,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Highlights.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8526494/v1/8b1e6ca8fe5f518c0fa85dea.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Influence of Pore Structure Characteristics on Grain Bulk Modulus in Underground Rock Masses: A Hydro-Mechanical Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Pore structure, Grain bulk modulus, Unjacketed test, Volume fraction-based model","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8526494/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8526494/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eWe present an evaluation of the grain bulk modulus of rocks through experimental and theoretical methods. Unjacketed tests were performed on three rock types\u0026mdash;Berea sandstone, Idaho sandstone, and Hwangdeung granite\u0026mdash;to measure grain-scale compressibility. Theoretical estimates were obtained using mineral composition data and the Voigt\u0026ndash;Reuss\u0026ndash;Hill averaging method. To examine the role of pore structure, X-ray computed tomography (CT) was employed to visualize and quantify pore geometry, including isolated pores. Experimental results indicated material-dependent variation in grain bulk modulus not directly correlated with conventional mechanical properties. Theoretical values were consistently higher than those of experimental measurements, with deviations attributed to pore-scale characteristics unaccounted for in the theoretical model. X-ray CT analysis confirmed that isolated pores contribute to additional volumetric deformation, which is unaccounted for in volume fraction-based models. A correlation between theoretical estimates and experimental values was derived to improve the applicability of the model. Conclusively, we present a systematic methodology for accurately evaluating grain bulk modulus by integrating experimental and theoretical approaches, offering foundational data and insight critical for geomechanical modeling in deep subsurface applications such as radioactive waste disposal or underground liquid hydrogen storage.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Influence of Pore Structure Characteristics on Grain Bulk Modulus in Underground Rock Masses: A Hydro-Mechanical Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-01-14 11:45:26","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8526494/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-01-21T10:19:15+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"176505938383967487679740830359023674241","date":"2026-01-21T10:02:44+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-01-21T04:13:17+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-01-18T01:53:53+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"234461140069967042359949408380297863185","date":"2026-01-16T12:00:59+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"186414876726048105022998914700914400201","date":"2026-01-13T00:33:47+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-01-12T17:11:40+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-01-12T10:58:19+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-01-08T06:43:46+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-01-08T06:40:18+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2026-01-06T04:06:16+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"4eae2019-8ad4-4e60-8405-590aff32713d","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 14th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[{"id":61088258,"name":"Physical sciences/Engineering"},{"id":61088259,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Solid earth sciences"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-02T16:06:04+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-8526494","link":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40373-1","journal":{"identity":"scientific-reports","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Scientific Reports"},"publishedOn":"2026-03-01 15:59:03","publishedOnDateReadable":"March 1st, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2026-01-14 11:45:26","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1038/s41598-026-40373-1","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-40373-1","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8526494","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8526494","identity":"rs-8526494","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}