Impact of Fracture–Seepage–Stress Coupling on the Sustainability and Durability of Concrete: A Triaxial Seepage and Mechanical Strength Analysis

Zhuolin Shi, Chengle Wu, Furong Wang, Xuehua Li (), Changhao Shan and Yingnan Xu
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Zhuolin Shi: Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, Ministry of Education, School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Chengle Wu: Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, Ministry of Education, School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Furong Wang: Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, Ministry of Education, School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Xuehua Li: Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, Ministry of Education, School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Changhao Shan: Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, Ministry of Education, School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Yingnan Xu: Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, Ministry of Education, School of Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: As an indispensable material in construction and engineering, concrete’s mechanical properties and permeability are crucial for structures’ stability and durability. In order to reasonably assess and improve the durability of fracture-containing concrete structures and to enhance the sustainable working life of concrete structures, this research investigated the seepage characteristics of fracture-containing concrete and its mechanical property deterioration under fracture–seepage coupling by testing the permeability and strength of concrete samples before and after water penetration using triaxial seepage test and mechanical strength test. The results show that the fracture–seepage coupling action significantly affects the permeability characteristics and mechanical strength of fracture-containing concrete. In particular, the strength of concrete samples containing a single fracture decreased with increased fracture angle, with a maximum decrease of 32.8%. The fracture–seepage–stress coupling significantly reduced the strength of the fracture-containing concrete samples, which was about twice as much as the strength of the no-fracture concrete samples. Different fracture angles affect the mode of fracture expansion and damage (The fracture angle varies from small to large, and the damage form of concrete changes from tensile damage to tensile–shear composite damage). Moreover, the coupling effect of fracture–seepage–stress will further increase fracture-containing concrete’s fragmentation in the damage process. Therefore, improving the seepage and fracture resistance of concrete plays a vital role in improving the sustainable working life of concrete structures.

Keywords: mechanical properties; durability; fracture-containing concrete; seepage characteristics; fracture–seepage coupling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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