Softening of soft red-bed rocks subjected to rainfall-evaporation cycles is commonly characterized by rapid disintegration and is often accompanied by cracking,resulting in degradation of the mechanical properties of ...Softening of soft red-bed rocks subjected to rainfall-evaporation cycles is commonly characterized by rapid disintegration and is often accompanied by cracking,resulting in degradation of the mechanical properties of the rock,which can lead to slope instability or rockfalls.The microstructural changes in soft red-bed rocks after immersion were imaged,and two-dimensional(2D)images of cracks under water absorption-evaporation conditions were obtained.The dynamics,fractal characteristics,and geometry of the cracks were analyzed using digital image processing and analysis based on morphological algorithms.The results indicate that the faceeface particle bonds become pointeface bonds with numerous micropores with sizes of 1-5 mm.The evolution of cracks generated after water absorption can be divided into four stages:edge crack initiation,crack propagation,crack coalescence forming the main crack,and subcrack segmentation.The evolution of the dynamic characteristics of cracks during water absorption and drying cycles can be effectively described by the crack intensity factor,crack density,and average width.The fractal dimension increases to a stable value with increasing soaking time,whereas drying increases the crack complexity,resulting in fractal dimensions ranging from 1.106 to 1.126.The geometry results indicate that the crack directions are mainly at angles of 30°-70°after soaking and primarily in the range of 50°-60°after 10 drying cycles.The transition of the crack intersection angle from a bimodal to a unimodal distribution suggests that water absorption and drying processes tend to form Y-shaped and T-shaped cracks,respectively.Finally,the evolution of the watererock interface induced by particle dissolution,ion exchange,expansion force,and liquid surface tensionwas used to explain the mechanism of crack evolution related to water entry and evaporation.These results provide a theoretical basis for evaluating the cracking behavior of soft red-bed rocks.展开更多
In this study,the axial swelling strain of red-bed mudstone under different vertical stresses are measured by swell-under-load method,and the microstructure of mudstone after hygroscopic swelling is studied by mercury...In this study,the axial swelling strain of red-bed mudstone under different vertical stresses are measured by swell-under-load method,and the microstructure of mudstone after hygroscopic swelling is studied by mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP).The weakening coefficient and Weibull distribution function are introduced into the coupling model of mudstone moisture diffusion-swelling deformation-fracture based on finite-discrete element method(FDEM).The weakening effect of moisture on mudstone's mechanical parameters,as well as the heterogeneity of swelling deformation and stress distribution,is considered.The microcrack behavior and energy evolution of mudstone during hygroscopic swelling deformation under different vertical stresses are studied.The results show that the axial swelling strain of mudstone decreases with increase of the vertical stress.At low vertical stresses,moisture absorption in mudstone leads to formation of cracks caused by hydration-induced expansion.Under high vertical stresses,a muddy sealing zone forms on the mudstone surface,preventing further water infiltration.The simulation results of mudstone swelling deformation also demonstrate that it involves both swelling of the mudstone matrix and swelling caused by crack expansion.Notably,crack expansion plays a dominant role in mudstone swelling.With increasing vertical stress,the cracks in mudstone change from tensile cracks to shear cracks,resulting in a significant reduction in the total number of cracks.While the evolution of mudstone kinetic energy shows similarities under different vertical stresses,the evolution of strain energy varies significantly due to the presence of different types of cracks in the mudstone.The findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding the hygroscopic swelling deformation mechanism of red-bed mudstone at various depths.展开更多
Red-bed mudstone, prevalent in southwest China, poses a formidable challenge due to its hydrophilic clay minerals, resulting in expansion, deformation, and cracking upon exposure to moisture. This study addresses upli...Red-bed mudstone, prevalent in southwest China, poses a formidable challenge due to its hydrophilic clay minerals, resulting in expansion, deformation, and cracking upon exposure to moisture. This study addresses uplift deformation disasters in high-speed railways by employing a moisture diffusion-deformation-fracture coupling model based on the finite-discrete element method(FDEM). The model integrates the influence of cracks on moisture diffusion. The investigation into various excavation depths reveals a direct correlation between depth and the formation of tensile cracks at the bottom of the railway cutting. These cracks expedite moisture migration, significantly impacting the temporal and spatial evolution of the moisture field. Additionally, crack expansion dominates hygroscopic deformation, with the lateral coordinate of the crack zone determining peak vertical displacement. Furthermore, key factors influencing deformation in railway cuttings, including the swelling factor and initial moisture content at the bottom of the cutting, are explored. The number of tensile and shear cracks increases with greater excavation depth, particularly concerning shear cracks. Higher swelling factors and initial moisture contents result in an increased total number of cracks, predominantly shear cracks. Numerical calculations provide valuable insights, offering a scientific foundation and directional guidance for the precise prevention, control, prediction, and comprehensive treatment of mudstone-related issues in high-speed railways.展开更多
Micron-scale crack propagation in red-bed soft rocks under hydraulic action is a common cause of engineering disasters due to damage to the hard rockesoft rockewater interface.Previous studies have not provided a theo...Micron-scale crack propagation in red-bed soft rocks under hydraulic action is a common cause of engineering disasters due to damage to the hard rockesoft rockewater interface.Previous studies have not provided a theoretical analysis of the length,inclination angle,and propagation angle of micron-scale cracks,nor have they established appropriate criteria to describe the crack propagation process.The propagation mechanism of micron-scale cracks in red-bed soft rocks under hydraulic action is not yet fully understood,which makes it challenging to prevent engineering disasters in these types of rocks.To address this issue,we have used the existing generalized maximum tangential stress(GMTS)and generalized maximum energy release rate(GMERR)criteria as the basis and introduced parameters related to micron-scale crack propagation and water action.The GMTS and GMERR criteria for micronscale crack propagation in red-bed soft rocks under hydraulic action(abbreviated as the Wmic-GMTS and Wmic-GMERR criteria,respectively)were established to evaluate micron-scale crack propagation in redbed soft rocks under hydraulic action.The influence of the parameters was also described.The process of micron-scale crack propagation under hydraulic action was monitored using uniaxial compression tests(UCTs)based on digital image correlation(DIC)technology.The study analyzed the length,propagation and inclination angles,and mechanical parameters of micron-scale crack propagation to confirm the reliability of the established criteria.The findings suggest that the Wmic-GMTS and Wmic-GMERR criteria are effective in describing the micron-scale crack propagation in red-bed soft rocks under hydraulic action.This study discusses the mechanism of micron-scale crack propagation and its effect on engineering disasters under hydraulic action.It covers topics such as the internal-external weakening of nano-scale particles,lateral propagation of micron-scale cracks,weakening of the mechanical properties of millimeter-scale soft rocks,and resulting interface damage at the engineering scale.The study provides a theoretical basis for the mechanism of disasters in red-bed soft-rock engineering under hydraulic action.展开更多
基金funded by the Sichuan Science and Technology Program(Grant Nos.2023YFS0364 and 2024YFHZ0154)the Xizang Science and Technology Program(Grant No.XZ202401ZY0097).
文摘Softening of soft red-bed rocks subjected to rainfall-evaporation cycles is commonly characterized by rapid disintegration and is often accompanied by cracking,resulting in degradation of the mechanical properties of the rock,which can lead to slope instability or rockfalls.The microstructural changes in soft red-bed rocks after immersion were imaged,and two-dimensional(2D)images of cracks under water absorption-evaporation conditions were obtained.The dynamics,fractal characteristics,and geometry of the cracks were analyzed using digital image processing and analysis based on morphological algorithms.The results indicate that the faceeface particle bonds become pointeface bonds with numerous micropores with sizes of 1-5 mm.The evolution of cracks generated after water absorption can be divided into four stages:edge crack initiation,crack propagation,crack coalescence forming the main crack,and subcrack segmentation.The evolution of the dynamic characteristics of cracks during water absorption and drying cycles can be effectively described by the crack intensity factor,crack density,and average width.The fractal dimension increases to a stable value with increasing soaking time,whereas drying increases the crack complexity,resulting in fractal dimensions ranging from 1.106 to 1.126.The geometry results indicate that the crack directions are mainly at angles of 30°-70°after soaking and primarily in the range of 50°-60°after 10 drying cycles.The transition of the crack intersection angle from a bimodal to a unimodal distribution suggests that water absorption and drying processes tend to form Y-shaped and T-shaped cracks,respectively.Finally,the evolution of the watererock interface induced by particle dissolution,ion exchange,expansion force,and liquid surface tensionwas used to explain the mechanism of crack evolution related to water entry and evaporation.These results provide a theoretical basis for evaluating the cracking behavior of soft red-bed rocks.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42172308)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS(No.2022331).
文摘In this study,the axial swelling strain of red-bed mudstone under different vertical stresses are measured by swell-under-load method,and the microstructure of mudstone after hygroscopic swelling is studied by mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP).The weakening coefficient and Weibull distribution function are introduced into the coupling model of mudstone moisture diffusion-swelling deformation-fracture based on finite-discrete element method(FDEM).The weakening effect of moisture on mudstone's mechanical parameters,as well as the heterogeneity of swelling deformation and stress distribution,is considered.The microcrack behavior and energy evolution of mudstone during hygroscopic swelling deformation under different vertical stresses are studied.The results show that the axial swelling strain of mudstone decreases with increase of the vertical stress.At low vertical stresses,moisture absorption in mudstone leads to formation of cracks caused by hydration-induced expansion.Under high vertical stresses,a muddy sealing zone forms on the mudstone surface,preventing further water infiltration.The simulation results of mudstone swelling deformation also demonstrate that it involves both swelling of the mudstone matrix and swelling caused by crack expansion.Notably,crack expansion plays a dominant role in mudstone swelling.With increasing vertical stress,the cracks in mudstone change from tensile cracks to shear cracks,resulting in a significant reduction in the total number of cracks.While the evolution of mudstone kinetic energy shows similarities under different vertical stresses,the evolution of strain energy varies significantly due to the presence of different types of cracks in the mudstone.The findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding the hygroscopic swelling deformation mechanism of red-bed mudstone at various depths.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 42172308, No.51779018)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS (No. 2022331)the Science and Technology Research and Development Program of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (No. J2022G002)。
文摘Red-bed mudstone, prevalent in southwest China, poses a formidable challenge due to its hydrophilic clay minerals, resulting in expansion, deformation, and cracking upon exposure to moisture. This study addresses uplift deformation disasters in high-speed railways by employing a moisture diffusion-deformation-fracture coupling model based on the finite-discrete element method(FDEM). The model integrates the influence of cracks on moisture diffusion. The investigation into various excavation depths reveals a direct correlation between depth and the formation of tensile cracks at the bottom of the railway cutting. These cracks expedite moisture migration, significantly impacting the temporal and spatial evolution of the moisture field. Additionally, crack expansion dominates hygroscopic deformation, with the lateral coordinate of the crack zone determining peak vertical displacement. Furthermore, key factors influencing deformation in railway cuttings, including the swelling factor and initial moisture content at the bottom of the cutting, are explored. The number of tensile and shear cracks increases with greater excavation depth, particularly concerning shear cracks. Higher swelling factors and initial moisture contents result in an increased total number of cracks, predominantly shear cracks. Numerical calculations provide valuable insights, offering a scientific foundation and directional guidance for the precise prevention, control, prediction, and comprehensive treatment of mudstone-related issues in high-speed railways.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(Grant Nos.42293354,42293351,and 42277131).
文摘Micron-scale crack propagation in red-bed soft rocks under hydraulic action is a common cause of engineering disasters due to damage to the hard rockesoft rockewater interface.Previous studies have not provided a theoretical analysis of the length,inclination angle,and propagation angle of micron-scale cracks,nor have they established appropriate criteria to describe the crack propagation process.The propagation mechanism of micron-scale cracks in red-bed soft rocks under hydraulic action is not yet fully understood,which makes it challenging to prevent engineering disasters in these types of rocks.To address this issue,we have used the existing generalized maximum tangential stress(GMTS)and generalized maximum energy release rate(GMERR)criteria as the basis and introduced parameters related to micron-scale crack propagation and water action.The GMTS and GMERR criteria for micronscale crack propagation in red-bed soft rocks under hydraulic action(abbreviated as the Wmic-GMTS and Wmic-GMERR criteria,respectively)were established to evaluate micron-scale crack propagation in redbed soft rocks under hydraulic action.The influence of the parameters was also described.The process of micron-scale crack propagation under hydraulic action was monitored using uniaxial compression tests(UCTs)based on digital image correlation(DIC)technology.The study analyzed the length,propagation and inclination angles,and mechanical parameters of micron-scale crack propagation to confirm the reliability of the established criteria.The findings suggest that the Wmic-GMTS and Wmic-GMERR criteria are effective in describing the micron-scale crack propagation in red-bed soft rocks under hydraulic action.This study discusses the mechanism of micron-scale crack propagation and its effect on engineering disasters under hydraulic action.It covers topics such as the internal-external weakening of nano-scale particles,lateral propagation of micron-scale cracks,weakening of the mechanical properties of millimeter-scale soft rocks,and resulting interface damage at the engineering scale.The study provides a theoretical basis for the mechanism of disasters in red-bed soft-rock engineering under hydraulic action.
