Fracture behavior of yellow sandstone under freeze–thaw cycles with varied saturation states: An investigation of mode I fracture

• Published in: Geomechanics for energy and the environment Vol. 36; p. 100502
• Main Authors: Yin, Tubing, Lu, Jianfei, Yu, Yang, Wu, You, Wang, Jihao, Men, Jiaqi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Fracture behavior; Freeze–thaw; Saturation states; Yellow stone; Freeze–thaw; Yellow stone; Saturation states; Fracture behavior
• ISSN: 2352-3808; 2352-3808
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gete.2023.100502

In cold regions, the behavior of fissured rock in rock engineering is significantly affected by freeze–thaw (F–T) cycles. To investigate the impact of freeze–thaw cycles on rock fracture behavior, freeze–thaw cycle treatment, and fracture tests were conducted on Cracked Straight Through Brazilian Disc (CSTBD) specimens. The freeze–thaw treatment notably degraded the physical and mechanical properties of the rock, marked by a downward trend in fracture load, toughness, and energy. A considerable volume of data suggests that the impact of freeze–thaw (F–T) on yellow sandstone was predominantly during the initial stages of cycling, with this trend stabilizing as the number of cycles increased. Microscopic analysis via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) uncovered the patterns of freeze–thaw damage in yellow sandstone. Dry rocks exhibited crack propagation, while water-saturated rocks displayed pore and crack expansion. The Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method illuminated the evolution of the high strain zone during the fracturing process. The mode I fracture process revealed a gradual expansion of the high strain zone originating from the crack tip, intensifying with increased load. As freeze–thaw cycles progressed, damage accumulation was gradual, and the path of mode I crack propagation grew increasingly intricate from a macroscopic perspective. Additionally, the quantification of fractal dimensions, achieved through the analysis of binarized SEM images, corroborates these observations at a microscopic level. •The mode I fracture characteristics of different saturated yellow sandstones after freeze–thaw treatment.•The fracture paths and damage modes of different saturated yellow sandstones under various freeze–thaw conditions.•The relationship between the fracture toughness and the fractal dimension of yellow sandstone in various saturated states.