Damage Evolution Characteristics of Saturated Sandstone in Freeze-Thaw Cycles

doi:10.12068/j.issn.1005-3026.2025.20240070

Abstract

Abstract:

To reveal the deformation and damage mechanism of rock in cold region rock engineering under freeze-thaw cycles， the porosity changes and macroscopic strength mechanical properties of saturated sandstone were analyzed through laboratory freeze-thaw cycle tests， low-field nuclear magnetic resonance experiments， and acoustic emission （AE） monitoring. A coupled temperature， permeability， stress， and damage model for saturated rock under freeze-thaw cycles was developed and validated. Numerical simulations were carried out to investigate the porosity variation and damage evolution in saturated sandstone subjected to different freeze-thaw cycles. The results indicate that as freeze-thaw cycles increase， the porosity growth rate of sandstone increases， while the uniaxial compressive strength decreases， and the rate of strength reduction gradually accelerates. The changes in pore size and quantity lead to deterioration in the strength of sandstone. Freeze-thaw-induced damage in sandstone arises from the combined effects of freeze-thaw cycles and loading， with the damage variable eventually approaching 1 as strain increases. The findings offer theoretical insights and experimental data for understanding the mechanical characteristics of rocks in cold regions.

Key words: freeze-thaw cycle, nuclear magnetic resonance, porosity, damage evolution, coupled model

CLC Number:

TD 853

Tao XU, Jing-chang QIU, Yang YUAN, Bin XU. Damage Evolution Characteristics of Saturated Sandstone in Freeze-Thaw Cycles[J]. Journal of Northeastern University(Natural Science), 2025, 46(10): 132-142.

Figures/Tables 15

Table 1 Mineral composition and content in

石英	方英石	斜长石	钾长石	黏土矿物
21.1	22.4	29.4	22.4	4.7

Table 2 Initial average physical parameters of

烘干

质量/g

s

^-1

Table 2 Initial average physical parameters of

烘干

质量/g

干密度

饱和密度

饱和含水率%

纵波波速

g·cm^-3

m·

s

^-1

64.3

2.04

2.2

7.1

2 841

Fig.1 Freeze-thaw experimental setups and procedure

Fig.2 Freeze-thaw cycles for sandstone

Fig.3 T2 distribution curves of sandstone under different freeze-thaw cycles

Fig.4 Pore size distribution curves of sandstone under different freeze-thaw cycles

Fig.5 Axial stress-AE curves of sandstone under different freeze-thaw cycles

Fig.6 Stress-strain curves of sandstone under different freeze-thaw cycles

Fig.7 Uniaxial compressive strength of sandstone under different freeze-thaw cycles

Fig.8 Multi-field coupling relationship

Table 3 Mechanical indicators of sandstone

基本属性	参数值
均质度 $m$	5
弹性模量 $E 0$ /GPa	4.5
抗压强度均值/MPa	50
孔隙度/%	16.15
泊松比	0.3
内摩擦角/(°)	40°
岩石导热系数/(W·m^-1·K^-1)	1.3
水导热系数/(W·m^-1·K^-1)	0.55
冰导热系数/(W·m^-1·K^-1)	2.2

Table 3 Mechanical indicators of sandstone

基本属性	参数值
均质度 $m$	5
弹性模量 $E 0$ /GPa	4.5
抗压强度均值/MPa	50
孔隙度/%	16.15
泊松比	0.3
内摩擦角/(°)	40°
岩石导热系数/(W·m^-1·K^-1)	1.3
水导热系数/(W·m^-1·K^-1)	0.55
冰导热系数/(W·m^-1·K^-1)	2.2

Fig.9 Numerical model for sandstone

Fig.10 Porosity changes of sandstone during freeze-thaw cycles

Fig.11 Experimental and simulated stress-strain curves of sandstone under different freeze-thaw cycles

Fig.12 Load-induced damage evolution curves of sandstone under different freeze-thaw cycles

References 23

[1]	Lyu Z T， Xia C C， Liu W D. Analytical solution of frost heaving force and stress distribution in cold region tunnels under non-axisymmetric stress and transversely isotropic frost heave of surrounding rock ［J］. Cold Regions Science and Technology， 2020， 178：103117.
[2]	Li Z G， Xu T， Zhao L C， et al. Enhancing stability analysis of open-pit slopes via integrated 3D numerical modeling and data monitoring ［J］. Engineering Failure Analysis， 2024， 163： 108495.
[3]	Krautblatter M， Funk D， Günzel F K. Why permafrost rocks become unstable： a rock-ice-mechanical model in time and space［J］. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms， 2013， 38（8）： 876-887.
[4]	Song Y Q， Kausir R. NMR application in unconventional shale reservoirs-a new porous media research frontier ［J］. Progress in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy， 2019， 112：17-33.
[5]	Gong Y F， Song J X， Wu S Z， et al. Evolution of pore structure and analysis of freeze damage in granite during cyclic freeze-thaw using NMR technique［J］. Engineering Geology， 2024， 335： 107545.
[6]	吴志军，卢槐，翁磊，等. 基于核磁共振实时成像技术的裂隙砂岩渗流特性研究［J］. 岩石力学与工程学报， 2021， 40（2）： 263-275.
	Wu Zhi-jun， Lu Huai， Weng Lei， et al. Investigations on the seepage characteristics of fractured sandstone based on NMR real-time imaging ［J］. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering， 2021，40（2）：263–275.
[7]	高峰，熊信，周科平，等. 冻融循环作用下饱水砂岩的强度劣化模型［J］. 岩土力学， 2019， 40（3）： 926-932.
	Gao Feng， Xiong Xin， Zhou Ke-ping， et al. Strength deterioration model of saturated sandstone under freeze-thaw cycle ［J］. Rock and Soil Mechanics， 2019， 40（3）： 926-932.
[8]	Jiang H B， Li K N， Jin J. The variation characteristics of micro-pore structures of underground rocks in cold regions subject to freezing and thawing cycles ［J］. Arabian Journal of Geosciences， 2020， 13：1-7.
[9]	Yanaghi J， Liu H Y， Chan A， et al. Experimental， theoretical and numerical modelling of the deterioration and failure process of sandstones subject to freeze-thaw cycles ［J］. Engineering Failure Analysis， 2022， 141（1）： 106686.
[10]	朱谭谭，李昂，黄达，等. 应力-冻融耦合作用下砂岩变形与损伤特征研究［J］. 岩石力学与工程学报，2023，42（2）： 342-351.
	Zhu Tan-tan， Li Ang， Huang Da， et al. Deformation and damage characteristics of sandstone under the combined action of stress and freeze-thaw cycle ［J］. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering， 2023， 42（2）： 342-351.
[11]	Yin W， Wang X Y， Zheng S A， et al. Triaxial creep test and damage model study of layered red sandstone under freeze-thaw cycles［J］. Case Studies in Construction Materials， 2024， 21： e03785.
[12]	肖鹏，陈有亮，杜曦，等. 冻融循环作用下砂岩的力学特性及细观损伤本构模型研究［J］. 岩土工程学报， 2023， 45（4）： 805-815.
	Xiao Peng， Chen You-liang， Du Xi， et al. Mechanical properties of sandstone under freeze-thaw cycles and the study of meso-damage constitutive model ［J］. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering， 2023，45（4）： 805-815.
[13]	王震，朱珍德，陈会官，等. 冻融作用下岩石力-热-水耦合本构模型研究［J］. 岩土力学， 2019， 40（7）： 2608-2616.
	Wang Zhen， Zhu Zhen-de， Chen Hui-guan， et al. A thermo-hydro-mechanical coupled constitutive model for rocks under freeze-thaw cycles ［J］. Rock and Soil Mechanics， 2019， 40（7）： 2608-2616.
[14]	Liu N F， Liang S H， Wang S J， et al. THM model of rock tunnels in cold regions and numerical simulation［J］. Scientific Reports， 2024， 14（1）： 3465.
[15]	刘泉声，康永水，刘滨，等. 裂隙岩体水-冰相变及低温温度场-渗流场-应力场耦合研究［J］. 岩石力学与工程学报， 2011， 30（11）： 2181-2188.
	Liu Quan-sheng， Kang Yong-shui， Liu Bin， et al. Water-ice phase transition and thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling at low temperature in fractured rock［J］. Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering， 2011， 30（11）： 2181-2188.
[16]	Nie R S， Zhou J， Chen Z X， et al. Pore structure characterization of tight sandstones via a novel integrated method： a case study of the Sulige gas field， Ordos Basin （Northern China）［J］. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences， 2021， 213： 104739.
[17]	Xu B， Xu T， Xue Y C， et al. Phase field modeling of mixed-mode crack in rocks incorporating heterogeneity and frictional damage ［J］. Engineering Fracture Mechanics， 2024， 298： 109936.
[18]	Zuber B， Marchand J. Predicting the volume instability of hydrated cement systems upon freezing using poro-mechanics and local phase equilibria ［J］. Materials and Structures，2004， 37： 257-270.
[19]	Zhu W C， Wei C H， Liu J， et al. A model of coal-gas interaction under variable temperatures ［J］. International Journal of Coal Geology， 2011， 86（2/3）： 213-221.
[20]	Xu T， Tang C A， Yang T H， et al. Numerical investigation of coal and gas outbursts in underground collieries ［J］. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences， 2006， 43（6）： 905-919.
[21]	朱万成，魏晨慧，田军，等. 岩石损伤过程中的热-流-力耦合模型及其应用初探［J］. 岩土力学， 2009，30（12）： 3851-3857.
	Zhu Wan-cheng， Wei Chen-hui， Tian Jun， et al. Coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical model during rock damage and its preliminary application ［J］. Rock and Soil Mechanics， 2009， 30（12）： 3851-3857.
[22]	Hao S W， Wang H Y， Xia M F， et al. Relationship between strain localization and catastrophic rupture ［J］. Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics， 2007， 48（1）： 41-49.
[23]	Huang S B， Liu Q S， Cheng A P， et al. A statistical damage constitutive model under freeze-thaw and loading for rock and its engineering application［J］. Cold Regions Science and Technology， 2018， 145： 142-150.