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

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.