Energy Analysis of the Deformation and Failure Process of Sandstone and Damage Constitutive Model

Abstract

The damage theory was introduced to clarify and simulate the strain softening property of rocks. On the basis of the theory, an energy method was utilized to portray the rock mechanical properties from microscopic perspective. Firstly, from the perspective of rock microstructure, damage variable (expressed as D) was redefined by dividing the rock into three portions: undamaged materials, damaged materials and micro-defects, and an impact factor was introduced as the connection between the damaged material and the micro-defects. Meanwhile, the method for determining the impact factor was presented. Secondly, the damage variable was redefined in light of energy dissipation, then damage evolution analysis was conducted based on triaxial tests. An improved rock damage constitutive model was further obtained in another expression to reflect the energy change law. Subsequently, the relationship between D and the deformation and failure process of rocks was analyzed on account of the damage evolution equation formularized by fitting to a logistic function, which can measure the influence of energy dissipation on the propagation of micro-defects. By comparing between experimental results and theoretical results of illustrative examples, the effectiveness of the improved model was validated, and the its application was also discussed.