Investigation of crack propagation and acoustic emission characteristics in jointed rock under freeze–thaw cycles based on DEM

In cold-region environments, where complex stresses and mining disturbances occur, rock masses are frequently segmented into discontinuous bodies by fractured structural planes, leading to anisotropic physical and mechanical properties. To explore the evolution of microcracks, degradation characteri...

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Main Authors: Yong Zhao, Qianbai Zhao, Tianhong Yang, Yanlong Chen, Penghai Zhang, Honglei Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:International Journal of Mining Science and Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095268625000916
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author Yong Zhao
Qianbai Zhao
Tianhong Yang
Yanlong Chen
Penghai Zhang
Honglei Liu
author_facet Yong Zhao
Qianbai Zhao
Tianhong Yang
Yanlong Chen
Penghai Zhang
Honglei Liu
author_sort Yong Zhao
collection DOAJ
description In cold-region environments, where complex stresses and mining disturbances occur, rock masses are frequently segmented into discontinuous bodies by fractured structural planes, leading to anisotropic physical and mechanical properties. To explore the evolution of microcracks, degradation characteristics, and failure modes of fractured rocks in cold regions under the influence of freeze–thaw cycles, integrating laboratory experiments with the damage mechanics of freeze–thaw cycles. A numerical model for freeze–thaw cycle damage in rocks with various fracture dip angles was developed. The study revealed that the freeze–thaw expansion force generated during the pore water–ice phase transition is the primary driving factor behind freeze–thaw cycle damage. The initiation and propagation of microcracks and micropores, the detachment of matrix particles, and the loosening of clay mineral structures result in the transformation of the rock from a dense to a porous state, causing significant degradation in macroscopic mechanical properties. As freeze–thaw cycles increase, both the uniaxial compressive strength and the deformation modulus of the rock decrease significantly, with the failure mode gradually shifting from brittle instability to brittle-plastic or plastic failure. The findings of this study offer a practical approach to uncovering the mechanical response mechanisms between freeze–thaw damage in fractured rocks and structural planes.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2095-2686
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Elsevier
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series International Journal of Mining Science and Technology
spelling doaj-art-7aa0b36cac244e6c9e6d07de59831ae82025-08-22T04:56:07ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Mining Science and Technology2095-26862025-07-013571171119510.1016/j.ijmst.2025.05.008Investigation of crack propagation and acoustic emission characteristics in jointed rock under freeze–thaw cycles based on DEMYong Zhao0Qianbai Zhao1Tianhong Yang2Yanlong Chen3Penghai Zhang4Honglei Liu5School of Resources & Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, ChinaSchool of Resources & Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China; Corresponding author.School of Resources & Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, ChinaState Key Laboratory for Geo Mechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaSchool of Resources & Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, ChinaSchool of Resources & Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, ChinaIn cold-region environments, where complex stresses and mining disturbances occur, rock masses are frequently segmented into discontinuous bodies by fractured structural planes, leading to anisotropic physical and mechanical properties. To explore the evolution of microcracks, degradation characteristics, and failure modes of fractured rocks in cold regions under the influence of freeze–thaw cycles, integrating laboratory experiments with the damage mechanics of freeze–thaw cycles. A numerical model for freeze–thaw cycle damage in rocks with various fracture dip angles was developed. The study revealed that the freeze–thaw expansion force generated during the pore water–ice phase transition is the primary driving factor behind freeze–thaw cycle damage. The initiation and propagation of microcracks and micropores, the detachment of matrix particles, and the loosening of clay mineral structures result in the transformation of the rock from a dense to a porous state, causing significant degradation in macroscopic mechanical properties. As freeze–thaw cycles increase, both the uniaxial compressive strength and the deformation modulus of the rock decrease significantly, with the failure mode gradually shifting from brittle instability to brittle-plastic or plastic failure. The findings of this study offer a practical approach to uncovering the mechanical response mechanisms between freeze–thaw damage in fractured rocks and structural planes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095268625000916Freeze-thaw cyclesAcoustic emissionMicro-damageFailure mechanismFracture dip angle
spellingShingle Yong Zhao
Qianbai Zhao
Tianhong Yang
Yanlong Chen
Penghai Zhang
Honglei Liu
Investigation of crack propagation and acoustic emission characteristics in jointed rock under freeze–thaw cycles based on DEM
International Journal of Mining Science and Technology
Freeze-thaw cycles
Acoustic emission
Micro-damage
Failure mechanism
Fracture dip angle
title Investigation of crack propagation and acoustic emission characteristics in jointed rock under freeze–thaw cycles based on DEM
title_full Investigation of crack propagation and acoustic emission characteristics in jointed rock under freeze–thaw cycles based on DEM
title_fullStr Investigation of crack propagation and acoustic emission characteristics in jointed rock under freeze–thaw cycles based on DEM
title_full_unstemmed Investigation of crack propagation and acoustic emission characteristics in jointed rock under freeze–thaw cycles based on DEM
title_short Investigation of crack propagation and acoustic emission characteristics in jointed rock under freeze–thaw cycles based on DEM
title_sort investigation of crack propagation and acoustic emission characteristics in jointed rock under freeze thaw cycles based on dem
topic Freeze-thaw cycles
Acoustic emission
Micro-damage
Failure mechanism
Fracture dip angle
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095268625000916
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AT yanlongchen investigationofcrackpropagationandacousticemissioncharacteristicsinjointedrockunderfreezethawcyclesbasedondem
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