摘要：The ratio between the horizontal and the vertical effective stresses is defined as the coefficient of
earth pressure at rest Ko. Ko in hydrate-bearing sediments is critical in understanding the stress states in
hydrate-bearing sediments, yet has not been previously understood. An oedometer cell equipped with vertical
and horizontal stress measurement sensors is used to measure the evolution of Ko in tetrahydrofuran hydratebearing
sands during hydrate formation and dissociation and vertical stress changes. The results show that the
response of Ko in hydrate-bearing specimens reflects the combined effects of hydrate cementation, the viscous
nature of hydrate crystals, and the stress levels. These results can enhance the understanding of stress
anisotropy and geomechanical behaviors of hydrate reservoirs during gas production.
