Combined Effect of Load and Water Environment on Creep Behaviours of Red Sandstone

Abstract

Creep experiment was conducted on specimens submerged in water to know the combined effect of load and water on mechanical behaviour of red sandstone. Compared with saturated and dry specimen with the sealed surface, results show that the steady-state creep strain rate of submerged specimen is the highest, whereas, the corresponding long-term strength is the smallest. Creep cracks initiation and propagation make it possible for water in the environment to migrate into the tip of new cracks, which intensifies the stress corrosion effect of water. This is the effect mechanism of a combined action of load and water on the creep behaviour of red sandstone. The presented experimental results are beneficial for monitoring and assessing the long-term stability and safety of rock engineering.