Seepage characteristics and mechanism of double damage basalt fiber reinforced concrete under three-dimensional variable stress states

Abstract

Concrete experiences a three-dimensional variable stress state during its service life. To explore the permeability evolution and mechanism under such conditions, a permeability test was conducted on double damage basalt fiber concrete subjected to loading and unloading of twice confining pressure. Pore structure and microstructure of specimens were analyzed before and after permeability test. The findings reveal that the reduction in permeability after primary cycle of confining pressure loading and unloading is significantly higher than that after secondary cycle, and residual deformation is also more pronounced after primary cycle. Both high temperature and salt freeze-thaw cycles induce initial damage to specimens, consequently altering internal pore structure and subsequently impacting initial permeability. Notably, initial permeability decreases in the case of 10th salt freeze-thaw cycles, while it increases under other conditions. The greater the initial extent of damage to the specimen, the higher the permeability damage coefficient and the permeability damage rate. As the confining pressure decreases, the attenuated permeability increases, with the permeability decay rate reaching a significant 88.53 %. Plastic deformation of pores during loading and unloading process cannot be fully reversed, leading to the development of macropores and mesopores into smaller pore sizes, resulting in a remarkable 87.17 % increase in the proportion of micropores. Microscopic observations reveal smaller pores within the matrix, shorter crack lengths, and narrower crack widths in the specimen. The application of confining pressure reduces permeability channels within specimens, ultimately causing a decline in permeability.