Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Study on the seepage characteristics and degradation mechanism of a single-jointed sandstone under the cyclic dry–wet process in the Three Gorges reservoir

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The hydro-fluctuation belt is the most sensitive part of the reservoir bank slope. The rock mass in the hydro-fluctuation belt has been affected by the cyclic dry–wet process. The water infiltrates into the rock mass through its pores and cracks. Through time, the cyclic dry–wet process is posing a significant impact on the evolution and seepage characteristics of jointed sandstone. In this paper, a series of tests such as seepage test, scanning test of the joint surface morphology, and measurement test of ion concentration were conducted to investigate the impact of the cyclic dry–wet condition on a single-jointed sandstone. The following conclusions were made based on the experimental results: (1) There is a positive correlation between the hydraulic conductivity (kf) and the number of dry–wet cycles (n). Initially, the trend was steep. Gradually, it reached a plateau. (2) The fractal dimension D was slightly decreasing when the number of dry–wet cycles increased. A considerable drop in the fractal dimension was observed within the first eighth dry–wet cycles. (3) A negative correlation between the hydraulic conductivity and the fractal dimension was established by the logistic model with four parameters. (4) On the one hand, calcareous cement was dissolved and disintegrated by the water. On the other hand, feldspar minerals underwent physical and chemical reactions. In the meantime, the water–rock interaction altered the ion concentrations, microstructures, and the permeability of sandstone. The findings of this paper provide a theoretical basis for the stabilization of the reservoir bank slope.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the submitted article.

References

  • Abolfazli M, Fahimifar A (2020) An investigation on the correlation between the joint roughness coefficient (JRC) and joint roughness parameters. Constr Build Mater 259(11):120415

  • Alt-Epping P, Diamond LW, Häring MO, Ladner F, Meier DB (2013) Prediction of water–rock interaction and porosity evolution in a granitoid-hosted enhanced geothermal system, using constraints from the 5 km Basel-1 well. Appl Geochem 38:121–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amadei B, Illangasekare T (1994) A mathematical model for flow and solute transport in non-homogeneous rock fractures. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 31(6):719–731

  • Apollaro C, Marini L, Critelli T, Rosa RD (2013) The standard thermodynamic properties of vermiculites and prediction of their occurrence during water–rock interaction. Appl Geochem 35:264–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babadagli T, Ren X, Develi K (2015) Effects of fractal surface roughness and lithology on single and multiphase flow in a single fracture: an experimental investigation. Int J Multiph Flow 68:40–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bao H, Zhang G, Lan H, Yan C, Xu J, Xu W (2020) Geometrical heterogeneity of the joint roughness coefficient revealed by 3D laser scanning. Eng Geol 265(3):105415

  • Barton N, Bandis S, Bakhtar K (1985) Strength, deformation and conductivity coupling of rock joints. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 22(3):121–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton NR, Choubey V (1977) The shear strength of rock joints in theory and practice. Rock Mech 10(1):1–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brush DJ, Thomson NR (2011) Fluid flow in synthetic rough-walled fractures: Navier-Stokes, Stokes, and local cubic law simulations. Water Resour Res 39(4):1037–1041

    Google Scholar 

  • Cao C, Xu Z, Chai J, Qin Y, Tan R (2018) Mechanical and hydraulic behaviors in a single fracture with asperities crushed during shear. Int J Geomech 18(11):04018148.1–04018148.10

  • Chen BR, Feng XT, Yao HY, Xu SC (2010) Study on mechanical behavior of limestone and simulation using neural network model under different water-chemical environment. Rock Soil Mech 31(4):1173–1180

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Gong Y (2019) Features of shear strength parameters reflecting damage to rock caused by water invasion-loss cycles. Geotech Geol Eng 37(3):1919–1929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, He P, Qin Z, Li J, Gong Y (2019a) Statistical damage model of altered granite under dry-wet cycles. Symmetry 11(1):41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Zhang Y, Li X (2019b) Experimental study on influence of bedding angle on gas permeability in coal. J Petrol Sci Eng 179:173–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook NG (1992) Natural joints in rock: mechanical, hydraulic and seismic behaviour and properties under normal stress - ScienceDirect. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 29(3):198–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deng HF, Li JL, Wang KW, Liu J, Zhu M, Lu T (2012) Research on secondary porosity changing law of sandstone under saturation-air dry cycles. Rock Soil Mech 33(2):483–488

    Google Scholar 

  • Deng H, Yuan X, Wang L, Zhu M, Luo Q, He M (2013) Experimental research on changes in the mechanical property law of reservoir bank sandstone under “immersion-air dry” circulation. Environ Eng Managet J (EEMJ) 12(9)

  • Duan M, Gao LI, Meng Y, Zhao Z, Xiao MA, Hongtao LI (2013) Research on regulation of fracture seepage in different joint roughness coefficients. J Water Res Water Eng 24(5):41–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Esaki T, Du S, Mitani Y, Ikusada K, Jing L (1999) Development of a shear-flow test apparatus and determination of coupled properties for a single rock joint. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 36(5):641–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang J, Deng H, Qi Y, Xiao Y, Zhang H, Li J (2019) Analysis of changes in the micromorphology of sandstone joint surface under dry-wet cycling. Adv Mater Sci Eng 2019:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • He YL, Tao YJ, Yang LZ (2010) Experimental research on hydraulic behaviors in a single joint with various values of JRC. Chin J Rock Mechan Eng 29(S1):3237–3240

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu M, Liu Y, Ren J, Wu R, Zhang Y (2019a) Laboratory test on crack development in mudstone under the action of dry-wet cycles. Bull Eng Geol Env 78(1):543–556

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu S, Xiao C, Liang X, Cao Y, Wang X, Li M (2019b) The influence of oil shale in situ mining on groundwater environment: a water-rock interaction study. Chemosphere 228:384–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurowitz JA, Fischer WW (2014) Contrasting styles of water–rock interaction at the Mars Exploration Rover landing sites. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 127:25–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ito Y, Kusakabe Y, Anan S (2015) Experimental study on rock deterioration by repetition of freezing and thawing, and by repetition of dry and wet in cold region. Eng Geol Soc Territory 5:1293–1297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Javadi M, Sharifzadeh M, Shahriar K, Mitani Y (2014) Critical Reynolds number for nonlinear flow through rough-walled fractures: the role of shear processes. Water Resour Res 50(2):1789–1804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang Z, Jiang A, Li H (2016) Change law study on cut-through fracture seepage properties of slate in corrosion environment. J China Coal Soc 41(8):1954–1962

    Google Scholar 

  • Khanlari G, Abdilor Y (2015) Influence of wet–dry, freeze–thaw, and heat–cool cycles on the physical and mechanical properties of Upper Red sandstones in central Iran. Bull Eng Geol Env 74(4):1287–1300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Wang F, Fang Q (2018) Undrained analysis of ground reaction curves for deep tunnels in saturated ground considering the effect of ground reinforcement. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 71:579–590

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li S, Li P, Zhang M (2021) Analysis of additional stress for a curved shield tunnel. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 107:103675

  • Li W, Zhang X, Zhong Y (2005) Formation mechanism of secondary dissolved pores in arcose. Oil Gas J 26(2):220–223

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu X, Fu Y, Wang Y, Huang L, Qin X (2008) Deterioration rules of shear strength of sand rock under water-rock interaction of reservoir. Chin J Geotech Eng 30(9):1298–1302

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu X, Jin M, Li D, Zhang L (2018a) Strength deterioration of a Shaly sandstone under dry–wet cycles: a case study from the Three Gorges Reservoir in China. Bull Eng Geol Env 77(4):1607–1621

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu X, Yuan W, Fu Y, Wang ZJ, Miao LL, Xie WB (2018b) Porosity evolution of sandstone dissolution under wetting and drying cycles. Chinese J Geotech Eng 40(03):527–532

    Google Scholar 

  • Lomize GM (1951) Flow in fracture rock. Gesenergoizdat, Moscow

    Google Scholar 

  • Louis C (1969) A study of groundwater flow in jointed rock and its influence on the stability of rock masses. Imperial College, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyu Q, Ranjith P, Long X, Ji B (2016) Experimental investigation of mechanical properties of black shales after CO2-water-rock interaction. Materials 9(8):663

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maihemuti B, Wang E, Hudan T, Xu Q (2016) Numerical simulation analysis of reservoir bank fractured rock-slope deformation and failure processes. Int J Geomech 16(2):04015058

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miao S, Wang H, Cai M, Song Y, Ma J (2018) Damage constitutive model and variables of cracked rock in a hydro-chemical environment. Arab J Geosci 11(2):19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miao T, Yu B, Duan Y, Fang Q (2015) A fractal analysis of permeability for fractured rocks. Int J Heat Mass Transf 81:75–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phan TT, Vankeuren ANP, Hakala JA (2018) Role of water-rock interaction in the geochemical evolution of Marcellus Shale produced waters. Int J Coal Geol 191:95–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Procházka V, Zachariáš J, Strnad L (2018) Model ages of fracture fillings and mineralogical and geochemical evidence for water-rock interaction in fractures in granite: The Melechov Massif, Czech Republic. Appl Geochem 95:124–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiao L, Liu J, Feng X (2007) Study on damage mechanism of sandstone under hydro-physico-chemical effects. Chin J Rock Mechan Eng 26(10):2117–2124

    Google Scholar 

  • Qin Z, Chen X, Fu H (2018) Damage features of altered rock subjected to drying-wetting cycles. Adv Civ Eng

  • Romm ES (1966) Flow characteristics of fractured rocks. Nedra, Moscow

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh HK, Basu A (2016) Shear behaviors of ‘real’natural un-matching joints of granite with equivalent joint roughness coefficients. Eng Geol 211:120–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh KK, Singh DN, Ranjith PG (2015) Laboratory simulation of flow through single fractured granite. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48(3):987–1000

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snow DT (1969) Anisotropic permeability of fractured media. Water Resour Res 5(6):1273–1289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su B, Zhan M, Zhao J (1995) Study on fracture seepage in the imitative nature rock. Chin J Geotech Eng 17(5):19–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun ZD, Song XM, Feng G, Huo YM, Kong SQ, Zhu DF (2019) Experimental study on the fracture behavior of sandstone after ScCO2–water–rock interaction. J Nat Gas Sci Eng 68:102904

  • Tallini M, Parisse B, Petitta M, Spizzico M (2013) Long-term spatio-temporal hydrochemical and 222 Rn tracing to investigate groundwater flow and water-rock interaction in the Gran Sasso (Central Italy) carbonate aquifer. Hydrogeol J 21(7):1447–1467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The National Standards Compilation Group of People’s Republic of China (2013) GB/T 50266–2013 Standard for tests method of engineering rock masses. China Planning Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsang YW, Witherspoon PA (1983) The dependence of fracture mechanical and fluid flow properties on fracture roughness and sample size. J Geophy Res: Solid Earth 88(B3):2359–2366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wan H, Ren G (2020) Study on the foundation pit settlement prediction model of logistic curve optimized by Markov chain. J Geomat Sci Technol 37(2):166–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang L, Yin Y, Huang B, Dai Z (2020) Damage evolution and stability analysis of the Jianchuandong dangerous rock mass in the Three Gorges reservoir area. Eng Geol 265:105439

  • Wang PF, Tan WH, Ma XW, Li ZJ, Liu JJ, Wu YF (2019) Experimental study on seepage characteristics of consecutive and filling fracture with different roughness and gap-width. Rock Soil Mech 40(8):3062–3070

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Zhuo Y, Zhao K, Zhong W (2018) Experimental measurements of the permeability characteristics of rare earth ore under the hydro-chemical coupling effect. RSC Adv 8(21):11652–11660

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Tang J, Jiang J, Dai Z, Shu G (2017) Mechanical properties and parameter damage effect of malmstone under chemical corrosion of water-rock interaction. J China Coal Soc 42(1):227–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Witherspoon PA, Wang JS, Iwai K, Gale JE (1980) Validity of cubic law for fluid flow in a deformable rock fracture. Water Resour Res 16(6):1016–1024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu S, Li X, Chang P, Li M, Chen S (2018) Experimental study on mechanical properties of red Pisha-sandstone under dry-wet cycles in Ordos. J Drain Irrig Machine Eng 07:11

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia C, Wang W, Cao S (2010) Flow characteristics of joints under different contact conditions. Chin J Rock Mechan Eng 29(7):1297–1306

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia C, Tang Z, Song Y (2013) A new peak shear strength formula for matching irregular joints based on 3D morphology parameters. Chin J Rock Mechan Eng 32(Z1):2833–2839

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao W, Xia C, Wang W (2011) Study of void model for fluid flow through rough joint by considering 3d topography characteristics. Chin J Rock Mechan Eng 30(S2):3786–3795

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang J, Feng X, Pan P, Shen L (2012) Aperture evolution of single fracture in granite under triaxial compressive stress and chemical solution seepage. Chin J Rock Mechan Eng 31(9):1869–1878

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang X, Wang J, Hou D, Zhu C, He M (2018) Effect of dry-wet cycling on the mechanical properties of rocks: a laboratory-scale experimental study. Processes 6(10):199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao H, Zhang Z, Li D (2018) Experimental study on the permeability characteristics of sandstone in different chemical solutions. KSCE J Civ Eng 22(9):3271–3277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ye Z, Jiang Q, Zhou C, Liu Y (2017) Numerical analysis of unsaturated seepage flow in two-dimensional fracture networks. Int J Geomech 17(5):04016118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeo IW, De Freitas MH, Zimmerman RW (1998) Effect of shear displacement on the aperture and permeability of a rock fracture. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 35(8):1051–1070

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yin L, Wang G, Sun W, Chen S (2012) Experimental study of effect of joint roughness on stress-seepage coupling characteristics. J Shandong Univ Sci Technol (Natural Science) 31(6):30–35

  • Zhang Y, Zhang D, Fang Q, Xiong L, Yu L, Zhou M (2020) Analytical solutions of non-Darcy seepage of grouted subsea tunnels. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 96:103182

  • Zhao Z, Yang J, Zhang D, Peng H (2017) Effects of wetting and cyclic wetting-drying on tensile strength of sandstone with a low clay mineral content. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50(2):485–491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng H, Li P, Ma G (2021) Stability analysis of the middle soil pillar for asymmetric parallel tunnels by using model testing and numerical simulations. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 108:103686

  • Zhou C, Xiong W (1996) A generalized cubic law for percolation in rock joints. Rock Soil Mech 17(4):1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Z, Cai X, Chen L, Cao W, Zhao Y, Xiong C (2017) Influence of cyclic wetting and drying on physical and dynamic compressive properties of sandstone. Eng Geol 220:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Z, Cai X, Ma D, Chen L, Wang S, Tan L (2018) Dynamic tensile properties of sandstone subjected to wetting and drying cycles. Constr Build Mater 182:215–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zou L, Jing L, Cvetkovic V (2015) Roughness decomposition and nonlinear fluid flow in a single rock fracture. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 75:102–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 51439003, 51679127, 51979218), sponsored by the Open Research Fund of Key Laboratory of Construction and Safety of Water Engineering of the Ministry of Water Resources, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (grant number 202001) and Research Fund for Excellent Dissertation of China Three Gorges University (grant number 2020BSPY007).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Geological Hazards On Three Gorges Reservoir Area (China Three Gorges University), Ministry of Education, Yichang, 443002, Hubei, China

    Jingcheng Fang, Huafeng Deng & Jianlin Li

  2. College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Eleyas Assefa

Authors
  1. Jingcheng Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Huafeng Deng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jianlin Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Eleyas Assefa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Huafeng Deng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fang, J., Deng, H., Li, J. et al. Study on the seepage characteristics and degradation mechanism of a single-jointed sandstone under the cyclic dry–wet process in the Three Gorges reservoir. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 8123–8136 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02416-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02416-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation