Cyclic Loading and Unloading of Weakly Consolidated Sandstone with Various Water Contents

Yaxin Long, Lihui Sun (), Zhenyu Cai, Zhixin Jiang, Zongze Wang, Qingfeng He and Zhong Bai
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Yaxin Long: School of Mining and Geomatics Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Lihui Sun: School of Mining and Geomatics Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Zhenyu Cai: School of Mining and Geomatics Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Zhixin Jiang: School of Mining and Geomatics Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Zongze Wang: School of Mining and Geomatics Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Qingfeng He: School of Mining and Geomatics Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Zhong Bai: Inner Mongolia Zoli Science and Technology Industry Development Company Limited, Ordos 017000, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: Weakly cemented rocks have a loose structure, poor mechanical properties, and soften and disintegrate upon contact with water. Mining operations cause damage and ruptures to rocks under cyclic loading and unloading, leading to serious disasters. This study investigated the effects of cyclic loading and unloading on the mechanical properties of weakly cemented sandstone (WCS) with various water contents (0–7.72%). A numerical model based on the particle flow theory simulated the behavior of WCS particles. The stress–strain relationships, damage and rupture patterns, energy evolution, and damage properties of WCS were examined using loading–unloading simulations. Water negatively affected the strength and elastic modulus of WCS. High water contents (>2.31%) increased the rupture probability and affected the rupture modes. Ruptures mainly occurred via the main fissure and caused cleavage damage; however, instances of tensile damage and shear slippage increased with an increasing water content. The elastic, dissipation, and total energies gradually increased with increasing cyclic loading and unloading. The damage factors of WCS with different water contents gradually increased with the growth rate. The mechanical properties of the sandstone were deteriorated by water, which increased the peak value of the damage factor from 0.77 for 0% moisture to 0.81 for 7.72% moisture.

Keywords: weakly cemented rocks; water content; cyclic loading and unloading; energy evolution; damage coefficient (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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