Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mechanical behaviors of a sandstone and mudstone under loading and unloading conditions

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study focuses on the effects of loading and unloading conditions on mechanical behaviors of a sandstone and mudstone. Two-type triaxial tests were carried out. One is the conventional triaxial test, in which the condition is an axial pressure controlled loading. The other is the unloading triaxial test, in which the condition is an axial pressure controlled preloading phase until reaching some 85% of estimated failure strength followed by a confining pressure controlled second loading phase until reaching failure strength. The experimental data indicate that the mechanical behaviors obtained from the unloading triaxial tests, such as the specimens’ failure surface, strain–stress curve, triaxial compressive strength, and triaxial shear strength, are different from ones obtained from the conventional triaxial tests. The failure surface observed in the conventional triaxial tests is a simple inclined slope, but, in the unloading triaxial tests, it is complex including two or more intersecting faces. The crest of deviatoric stress and corresponding axial strain obtained from the unloading triaxial tests are smaller. Some indexes to denote mechanical behaviors of rocks, such as triaxial compressive strength, angle of internal friction, and angle of shearing resistance, obtained from the unloading triaxial tests, are greater.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ai T, Zhang R, Liu J, Ren L (2012) Space–time evolution rules of acoustic emission location of unloaded coal sample at different loading rates. Int J Min Sci Technol 22(6):847–854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ASTM Standard D3148-02 (2002) Standard test method for elastic moduli of intact rock core specimens in uniaxial compression. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM Standard D3967-16 (2016) Standard test method for splitting tensile strength of intact rock core specimens. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM Standard D7012-14 (2014) Standard test methods for compressive strength and elastic moduli of intact rock core specimens under varying states of stress and temperatures. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  • Cho SH, Ogata Y, Kaneko K (2003) Strain-rate dependency of the dynamic tensile strength of rock. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 40(5):763–777

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chongqing Geological and Mineral Resource Exploration and Development Corporation (CGMREDC) (2002) Chongqing geological map (Scale 1:500 000). Chongqing Yangtze River Map Printing Factory, Chongqing (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Corkum AG, Martin CD (2007) The mechanical behaviour of weak mudstone (Opalinus Clay) at low stresses. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 44(2):196–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Douma LANR, Primarini MIW, Houben ME, Barnhoorn A (2017) The validity of generic trends on multiple scales in rock-physical and rock-mechanical properties of the Whitby Mudstone, United Kingdom. Mar Pet Geol 84:135–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo J-J, Wang J-J (2018) Mechanism analysis of the failure for a safe jointed rock high slope: tectonic structures and damage. Geotech Geol Eng 36(1):455–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeong H, Kang S, Obara Y (2007) Influence of surrounding environments and strain rates on the strength of rocks subjected to uniaxial compression. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 44(3):321–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim E, Changani H (2016) Effect of water saturation and loading rate on the mechanical properties of Red and Buff Sandstones. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 88:23–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klein E, Baud P, Reuschlé T, Wong T-f (2001) Mechanical behaviour and failure mode of bentheim sandstone under triaxial compression. Phys Chem Earth Part A 26(1–2):21–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klepaczko JR (1990) Behavior of rock-like materials at high strain rates in compression. Int J Plast 6(4):415–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee D-H, Juang CH, Chen J-W, Lin H-M, Shieh W-H (1999) Stress paths and mechanical behavior of a sandstone in hollow cylinder tests. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 36(7):857–870

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li D, Wong LNY (2013) The Brazilian disc test for rock mechanics applications: review and new insights. Rock Mech Rock Eng 46(2):269–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang WG, Zhao YS, Xu SG, Dusseault MB (2011) Effect of strain rate on the mechanical properties of salt rock. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 48(1):161–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liao HJ, Pu WC, Yin JH, Akaishi M, Tonosaki A (2004) Numerical modeling of the strain rate effect on the stress-strain relation for soft rock using a 3-D elastic visco-plastic model. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41:342–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi C, Wang M, Qian Q (2009) Strain-rate effects on the strength and fragmentation size of rocks. Int J Impact Eng 36(12):1355–1364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ray SK, Sarkar M, Singh TN (1999) Effect of cyclic loading and strain rate on the mechanical behaviour of sandstone. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 36(4):543–549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roshan H, Masoumi H, Regenauer-Lieb K (2017) Frictional behaviour of sandstone: a sample-size dependent triaxial investigation. J Struct Geol 94:154–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taheri A, Tani K (2008) Use of down-hole triaxial apparatus to estimate the mechanical properties of heterogeneous mudstone. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 45(8):1390–1402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J-J, Chai H-J, Li H-P, Zhu J-G (2008) Factors resulting in the instability of a 57.5 m high cut slope. In: Proceedings of the 10th international symposium on landslides and engineered slopes, vol 1, pp 1799–1804

  • Wang J-J, Zhang H-P, Deng D-P, Liu M-W (2013) Effects of mudstone particle content on compaction behavior and particle crushing of a crushed sandstone–mudstone particle mixture. Eng Geol 167:1–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J-J, Zhao T-L, Chai H-J, Tang S-C (2016) Failure of a rock slope 16.5 years after excavation in repeated strata of sandstone and mudstone. Environ Earth Sci 75:1458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang S-Q, Jing H-W (2013) Evaluation on strength and deformation behavior of red sandstone under simple and complex loading paths. Eng Geol 164:1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zadeh MK, Mondol NH, Jahren J (2016) Compaction and rock properties of Mesozoic and Cenozoic mudstones and shales, northern North Sea. Mar Pet Geol 76:344–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang K, Zhou H, Pan P-Z, Shen L-F, Feng X-T, Zhang Y-G (2010) Characteristics of strength of rocks under different unloading rates. Rock Soil Mech 31(7):2072–2077 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang D, Chen A, Wang X, Liu G (2015) Quantitative determination of the effect of temperature on mudstone decay during wet-dry cycles: a case study of ‘purple mudstone’ from south-western China. Geomorphology 246:1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang D, Chen A, Wang X, Yan B, Shi L, Liu G (2016) A quantitative determination of the effect of moisture on purple mudstone decay in Southwestern China. CATENA 139:28–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Z, Cai X, Zhao Y, Chen L, Xiong C, Li X (2016) Strength characteristics of dry and saturated rock at different strain rates. Trans Nonferrous Met Soc China 26(7):1919–1925

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zong Y, Han L, Wei J, Wen S (2016) Mechanical and damage evolution properties of sandstone under triaxial compression. Int J Min Sci Technol 26(4):601–607

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the National Science and Technology Support Program of China under Grant no. 2015BAK09B01, the Chongqing Science and Technology Commission of China under Grant nos. cstc2015jcyjBX0139 and cstc2017kjrc-cxcytd30001, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant nos. 51479012 and U1865103, respectively.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Diagnosis Technology and Instruments of Hydro-Construction, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, People’s Republic of China

    Jun-Jie Wang, Min-Nan Liu & Fu-Xian Jian

  2. Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Disaster Prevention & Control for Banks and Structures in Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Chongqing, 404000, People’s Republic of China

    Jun-Jie Wang

  3. National Engineering Research Center for Inland Waterway Regulation, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, People’s Republic of China

    Min-Nan Liu & Fu-Xian Jian

  4. National Engineering Laboratory for Road Engineering and Disaster Prevention and Reduction Technology in Mountainous Areas, China Merchants Chongqing Communications Technology Research and Design Institute Co. Ltd., Chongqing, 400067, People’s Republic of China

    He-Jun Chai

Authors
  1. Jun-Jie Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Min-Nan Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fu-Xian Jian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. He-Jun Chai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jun-Jie Wang.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, JJ., Liu, MN., Jian, FX. et al. Mechanical behaviors of a sandstone and mudstone under loading and unloading conditions. Environ Earth Sci 78, 30 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-8020-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-8020-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation