Splitting tensile properties and damage characterization of polymer grouting materials: Density, geometry and size effects

Abstract

Splitting tensile properties play a crucial role in evaluating the safety of polymer grouting reinforced underground infrastructure. However, the influence of density, geometry and size effects on splitting tensile properties is remains unclear. This study employed static splitting tensile and Brazilian disc tests to investigate these influences, analyzing the damage evolution process of polymer grouting materials through the acoustic emission-digital image correlation (AE-DIC) system. The results show that the splitting tensile strength of polymer grouting materials decreases with the increase of specimen density, edge length, height, diameter and splitting cross-sectional area. Moreover, the splitting tensile strength and specimen density, as well as the splitting tensile cross-sectional area, exhibit a satisfying power function relationship. Furthermore, during the splitting tensile loading process of polymer grouting materials, energy release primarily occurs at the instant of specimen failure. The greater the density, the more energy is released during failure damage, resulting in more significant brittle damage characteristics.