Abstract
The strength of sandstone decreases significantly with higher water content attributing to softening effects. This scenario can pose a severe threat to the stability of reservoirs of pumped storage power stations developed from abandoned mines, especially when subjected to the cyclic loading condition caused by the repeated drainage and storage of water (fatigue damage). Based on this, it is essential to focus on the fatigue failure characteristics. In this study, the mineral composition of the used sandstone of Ruineng coal mine in Shanxi Province, China, was first tested to elucidate the rock softening mechanism after absorbing water. Next, a numerical model for replicating the mechanical behavior of water-bearing sandstone was established using two-dimensional particle flow code (PFC2D) with a novel contact model. Then, 16 uniaxial cyclic loading simulations with distinct loading parameters related to reservoir conditions (loading frequency, amplitude level, and maximum stress level) and different water contents were conducted. The numerical results show that all these three loading parameters affect the failure characteristics of sandstone, including irreversible strain, damage evolution, strain behavior, and fatigue life. The influence degree of these three parameters on failure behavior increases in the order of maximum stress level, loading frequency, and amplitude level. However, for the samples with different water contents, their failure characteristics are similar under the same loading conditions. Furthermore, the failure mode is almost unaffected by the loading parameters, while the water content plays a significant role and causing the transformation from the tensile splitting with low water content to the shear failure with higher water content.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Azhar M, Zhou H, Yang F, et al. (2020) Water-induced softening behavior of clay-rich sandstone in Lanzhou Water Supply Project, China. J Rock Mech Geotech 12: 557–570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2019.07.017
Bagde M N, Petroš V (2005) Fatigue properties of intact sandstone samples subjected to dynamic uniaxial cyclical loading. Int J Rock Mech Min 42(2): 237–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.08.008
Chen Y, Zhang Y, Li X (2019) Experimental study on influence of bedding angle on gas permeability in coal. J Petrol Sci Eng 179:173–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2019.04.010
Feng G, Wang X, Kang Y, et al. (2020) Effect of thermal cycling-dependent cracks on physical and mechanical properties of granite for enhanced geothermal system. Int J Rock Mech Min 134: 104476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2020.104476
Feng G, Wang X, Wang M, et al. (2020) Experimental investigation of thermal cycling effect on fracture characteristics of granite in a geothermal-energy reservoir. Eng Fract Mech 235: 107180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2020.107180
Feng W, Qiao C, Niu S, et al. (2019) Macro-mechanical properties of saturated sandstone of Jushan Mine under post-peak cyclic loading: an experimental study. Arab J Geosci 12(23): 702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4904-0
Geranmayeh-Vaneghi R, Ferdosi B, Okoth AD, et al. (2018) Strength degradation of sandstone and granodiorite under uniaxial cyclic loading. J Rock Mech Geotech 10(1): 117–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2017.09.005
Geranmayeh-Vaneghi R, Thoeni K, Dyskin AV, et al. (2020) Fatigue damage response of typical crystalline and granular rocks to uniaxial cyclic compression. Int J Fatigue 138: 105667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2020.105667
Ghazvinian E, Diederichs M S, Quey R (2014) 3D random Voronoi grain-based models for simulation of brittle rock damage and fabric-guided micro-fracturing. J Rock Mech Geotech 6(6): 506–521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2014.09.001
Guo Y, Jiang X, Song Z (2018) Analysis of seepage evolution law of rock mass based on the numerical algorithm considering strength weakening water absorption. Arab J Geosci 11(13): 349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3630-3
Horn HM, Deere DU (1962) Frictional Characteristics of Minerals. Géotechnique 12(4): 319–335. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1962.12.4.319
Itasca (2018) PFC2D manual Version 6.0. ICG, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Li H, Zhong Z, Eshiet KI, et al. (2020) Experimental investigation of the permeability and mechanical behaviours of chemically corroded limestone under different unloading conditions. Rock Mech Rock Eng 53(4): 1587–1603. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-019-01961-y
Li H, Zhong Z, Liu X, et al. (2018) Micro-damage evolution and macro-mechanical property degradation of limestone due to chemical effects. Int J Rock Mech Min 110: 257–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2018.07.011
Li K, Cheng Y, Fan X (2018) Roles of model size and particle size distribution on macro-mechanical properties of Lac du Bonnet granite using flat-joint model. Comput Geotech 103: 43–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2018.07.007
Li W, Wang X, Cheng J (2019) Measurement of the anisotropic elastic properties of shale: uncertainty analysis and water effect. B Eng Geol Environ 78(8): 6075–6087. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01517-y
Li X F, Li H B, Liu YQ, et al. (2016) Numerical simulation of rock fragmentation mechanisms subject to wedge penetration for TBMs. Tunn Undergr Sp Tech 53: 96–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2015.12.010
Li X, Peng K, Peng J, et al. (2021) Effect of cyclic wetting-drying treatment on strength and failure behavior of two quartz-rich sandstones under direct shear. Rock Mech Rock Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-021-02583-z
Li X, Peng K, Peng J, et al. (2021) Experimental investigation of cyclic wetting-drying effect on mechanical behavior of a medium-grained sandstone. Eng Geol 293: 106335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2021.106335
Liu E, He S (2012) Effects of cyclic dynamic loading on the mechanical properties of intact rock samples under confining pressure conditions. Eng Geol 125: 81–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2011.11.007
Liu Y, Dai F (2018) A damage constitutive model for intermittent jointed rocks under cyclic uniaxial compression. Int J Rock Mech Min 103: 289–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2018.01.046
Liu Y, Dai F (2021) A review of experimental and theoretical research on the deformation and failure behavior of rocks subjected to cyclic loading. J Rock Mech Geotech. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.03.012
Liu Y, Dai F, Dong L et al. (2018) Experimental investigation on the fatigue mechanical properties of intermittently jointed rock models under cyclic uniaxial compression with different loading parameters. Rock Mech Rock Eng 51(1): 47–68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-017-1327-7
Liu Y, Dai F, Feng P, et al. (2018) Mechanical behavior of intermittent jointed rocks under random cyclic compression with different loading parameters. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng 113: 12–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2018.05.030
Liu Y, Dai F, Zhao T, et al. (2017) Numerical investigation of the dynamic properties of intermittent jointed rock models subjected to cyclic uniaxial compression. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50(1): 89–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-1085-y
Meng Q, Zhang M, Zhang Z, et al. (2018) Experimental research on rock energy evolution under uniaxial cyclic loading and unloading compression. Geotech Test J 41(4): 717–729. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ20170233
Morrow CA, Moore DE, Lockner DA (2000) The effect of mineral bond strength and adsorbed water on fault gouge frictional strength. Geophys Res Lett 27(6): 815–818. https://doi.org/10.1029/1999GL008401
Nguyen NHT, Bui HH, Kodikara J, et al. (2019) A discrete element modelling approach for fatigue damage growth in cemented materials. Int J Plasticity 112: 68–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijplas.2018.08.007
Niu S, Ge S, Yang D, et al. (2018) Mechanical properties and energy mechanism of saturated sandstones. J Cent South Univ 25(6): 1447–1463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-018-3839-z
Peng K, Zhou J, Zou Q, et al. (2019) Deformation characteristics of sandstones during cyclic loading and unloading with varying lower limits of stress under different confining pressures. Int J Fatigue 127: 82–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2019.06.007
Qin Z, Fu H, Chen X (2019) A study on altered granite meso-damage mechanisms due to water invasion-water loss cycles. Environ Earth Sci 78(428). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8426-6
Song Z, Konietzky H, Herbst M (2019) Three-dimensional particle model based numerical simulation on multi-level compressive cyclic loading of concrete. Constr Build Mater 225: 661–677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.260
Tao Z, Chun Z, Yong W, et al. (2018) Research on stability of an open-pit mine dump with fiber optic monitoring. Geofluids 2018: 9631706. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9631706
Wang Q, He M, Li S, et al. (2021) Comparative study of model tests on automatically formed roadway and gob-side entry driving in deep coal mines. Int J Min Sci Techno 31(4): 591–601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2021.04.004
Wang Z, Liu X, Zhong Z, et al. (2019) Mechanical response and energy dissipation mechanism of sandstone under cyclic dynamic loading using particle flow code simulations. Ekoloji 28(107): 4501–4512
Xiao F, Jiang D, Wu F, et al. (2021) Deformation and failure characteristics of sandstone subjected to true-triaxial unloading: An experimental and numerical study. Fatigue Fract Eng M 44(7): 1862–1882. https://doi.org/10.1111/ffe.13470
Yang S, Yin P, Zhang Y, et al. (2019) Failure behavior and crack evolution mechanism of a non-persistent jointed rock mass containing a circular hole. Int J Rock Mech Min 114: 101–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2018.12.017
Zhang X, Wong LNY (2014) Choosing a proper loading rate for bonded-particle model of intact rock. Int J Fracture 189(2): 163–179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-014-9968-y
Zhao B, Liu D, Li Z, et al. (2018) Mechanical behavior of shale rock under uniaxial cyclic loading and unloading condition. Adv Civ Eng 2018: 9750480. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9750480
Zhu C, Zhang K, Cai H, et al. (2019) Combined Application of optical fibers and CRLD bolts to monitor deformation of a pit-in-pit foundation. Adv Civ Eng 2019: 2572034. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2572034
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52104125), the funding of State Key Laboratory for GeoMechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing (SKLGDUEK2133), and the funding of Key Laboratory of Rock Mechanics and Geohazards of Zhejiang Province (No. ZJRMG-2020-02).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhu, C., He, Mc., Jiang, B. et al. Numerical investigation on the fatigue failure characteristics of water-bearing sandstone under cyclic loading. J. Mt. Sci. 18, 3348–3365 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-021-6914-0
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-021-6914-0