Abstract
Carbonaceous mudstone suffers intrusion of wetting–drying cycles in the period of seasonal rainfall, leading to a serious threat to the stability of the related infrastructures. The presented study aims to obtain insight into the mechanical properties and deterioration mechanism of carbonaceous mudstone exposed to wetting–drying cycles. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to determine the stress–strain curve, unconfined compressive strength qu, residual strength σr, shear strength τf, cohesion c, and friction angle φ of the remolded carbonaceous mudstone samples with various cycles. The results showed that the stress–strain characteristic gradually changed from ‘brittle’ to ‘ductile’ with an increase in wetting–drying cycles. Both qu and τf presented dramatic decrease within the first 10 cycles, and then they reached a relatively stable value, indicating effective engineering measures should be conducted before this stable stage to prevent failure of the carbonaceous mudstone. The σr value exhibited a contrary trend to that of qu, which can be captured using the exponential function. Two strength parameters, c and φ, decreased with the increasing wetting–drying cycles. Scanning electron microscope analysis indicated that after suffering wetting–drying cycles, carbonaceous mudstone possessed an unstable micro-structure with larger pore size and layer spacing. This was mainly attributed to the swelling/shrinkage behavior of clay minerals, which facilitated the development of tensile stress in carbonaceous mudstone. The loss or dissolution of soluble minerals/salts yielded negative impacts on the stability of micro-structure and accelerated the deterioration of mechanical properties. Additional micro-chemical analysis was suggested to quantitatively evaluate the mineralogy and pore profile characteristics of carbonaceous mudstone with wetting–drying cycles.
Highlights
-
Stress-strain behaviours of remolded carbonaceous mudstone with wetting-drying cycles were systematically evaluated.
-
Variations of microstructure and mineralogy during wetting-drying cycles were tested and discussed.
-
A potential deterioration mechanism of carbonaceous mudstone was proposed.
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig1_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig2_HTML.jpg)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig3_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig4_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig5_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig6_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig7_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig8_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig9_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig10_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig11_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00603-022-02833-8/MediaObjects/603_2022_2833_Fig12_HTML.jpg)
References
Akono AT, Kabir P (2019) Influence of geochemistry on toughening behavior of organic-rich shale. Acta Geotech 14(4):1129–1142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-018-0715-9
ASTM (2008) Standard test method for unconfined compressive strength index of chemical- grouted soils. ASTM standard D4219–08. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken
ASTM (2011) Standard test method for direct shear test of soils under consolidated drained conditions. ASTM standard D3080–11. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken
ASTM (2012) Standard test method for laboratory compaction characteristics of soil using standard effort (12400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600kN-m/m3)). ASTM standard D698. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken
ASTM (2015a) Standard test method for relative density (specific gravity) and absorption of coarse aggregate ASTM standard C127–15. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken
ASTM (2015b) Standard test method for wetting and drying compacted soil-cement mixtures ASTM standard D559–15. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken
Cai GH, Liu SY, Zheng X (2019) Influence of drying-wetting cycles on engineering properties of carbonated silt admixed with reactive MgO. Constr Build Mater 204:84–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.125
Callisto L, Rampello S (2002) Shear strength and small-strain stiffness of a natural clay under general stress conditions. Geotechnique 52(8):547–560. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2002.52.8.547
China MOT (2004) Specifications for design of highway subgrades JTG D30–2004. China Ministry of Transportation, Beijing
Elango L, Kannan R (2007) Rock-water interaction and its control on chemical composition of groundwater. Dev Environ Sci 5:229–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-8177(07)05011-5
Fu H, Liu J, Zeng L, Xiao L, Hou P (2019) Disintegration characteristics of carbonaceous mudstone under loading and wet-dry cycles. China J Highw Trans 32(9):22–31
Guo P, Gu J, Su Y, Wang J, Ding Z (2021) Effect of cyclic wetting-drying on tensile mechanical behavior and microstructure of clay-bearing sandstone. Int J Coal Sci Tech. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-020-00403-3
Horpibulsuk S, Rachan R, Raksachon Y (2009) Role of fly ash on strength and microstructure development in blended cement stabilized silty clay. Soils Found 49(1):85–98. https://doi.org/10.3208/sandf.49.85
Horpibulsuk S, Suksiripattanapong C, Samingthong W, Rachan R, Arulrajah A (2016) Durability against wetting–drying cycles of water treatment sludge–fly ash geopolymer and water treatment sludge-cement and silty clay-cement systems. J Mater Civ Eng 28(1):04015078. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001351
Idiart A, Laviña M, Cochepin B, Pasteau A (2020) Hydro-chemo-mechanical modelling of long-term evolution of bentonite swelling. Appl Clay Sci 195:105717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2020.105717
Kong L, Sayem HM, Tian H (2018) Influence of drying-wetting cycles on soil-water characteristic curve of undisturbed granite residual soils and microstructure mechanism by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin-spin relaxation time (t2) relaxometry. Can Geotech J 55(2):208–216. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2016-0614
Li X, Peng K, Peng J, Xu H (2021) Effect of cyclic wetting–drying treatment on strength and failure behavior of two quartz-rich sandstones under direct shear. Rock Mech Rock Eng 54(11):5953–5960. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-021-02583-z
Liu X, Yuan S, Sieffert Y, Fityus S, Buzzi O (2016) Changes in mineralogy, microstructure, compressive strength and intrinsic permeability of two sedimentary rocks subjected to high-temperature heating. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49(8):2985–2998. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-0950-z
Lu Y, Wang L, Sun X, Wang J (2017) Experimental study of the influence of water and temperature on the mechanical behavior of mudstone and sandstone. Bull Eng Geol Env 76(2):645–660. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-016-0851-0
Luo JH, Mi DC, Huang HF, Zhang T, Sun GH, Chen DQ (2020a) Intelligent monitoring, stability evaluation, and landslide treatment of a carbonaceous mudstone and shale slope in Guangxi, China. Int J Saf Secur Eng 10(3):373–379
Luo JH, Mi DC, Ye QY, Sun GH, Chen DQ (2020b) Study on microscopic characteristics and physical and mechanical parameters of carbonaceous rocks. MSF 980:368–376. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.980.368
Luo J, Wu Y, Mi D, Ye Q, Huang H, Chang Z, Chen Q, Zhang T, Sun G, Wang X, Wang Y, Liu X (2020c) Analysis of the distribution and microscopic characteristics and disintegration characteristics of carbonaceous rocks: a case study of the middle devonian luofu formation in western guangxi of China. Adv Civil Eng 8810648:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8810648
Ma C, Zhan H, Zhang T, Yao W (2019) Investigation on shear behavior of soft interlayers by ring shear tests. Eng Geol 254:34–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.04.002
Moon VG, Beattie AG (1995) Textural and microstructural influences on the durability of Waikato Coal Measures mudrocks. Q J Eng Geol Hydrogeol 28(3):303–312. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.QJEGH.1995.028.P3.08
Moore R (1991) The chemical and mineralogical controls upon the residual strength of pure and natural clays. Geotechnique 41(1):35–47. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1991.41.1.35
Shen B (2014) Coal mine roadway stability in soft rock: a case study. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47(6):2225–2238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0528-y
Simpson D, Rouainia M, Elia G (2021) Mineralogical and micro-structural investigation into the mechanical behaviour of a soft calcareous mudstone. Rock Mech Rock Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-021-02426-x
Tang CS, Wang DY, Shi B, Li J (2016) Effect of wetting-drying cycles on profile mechanical behavior of soils with different initial conditions. CATENA 139:105–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2015.12.015
Tang CS, Zhu C, Cheng Q, Zeng H, Xu JJ, Tian BG, Shi B (2021a) Desiccation cracking of soils: a review of investigation approaches, underlying mechanisms, and influencing factors. Earth Sci Rev. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103586
Tang ZC, Zhang QZ, Zhang Y (2021b) Cyclic drying-wetting effect on shear behaviors of red sandstone fracture. Rock Mech Rock Eng 54(5):2595–2613. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-021-02413-2
Tiwari B, Marui H (2005) A new method for the correlation of residual shear strength of the soil with mineralogical composition. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 131(9):1139–1150. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2005)131:9(1139)
Van Hall CE, Safranko J, Stenger VA (1963) Rapid combustion method for the determination of organic substances in aqueous solutions. Anal Chem 35(3):315–319
Wang W, Griffiths DV (2019) Case study of slope failure during construction of an open pit mine in Indonesia. Can Geotech J 56(5):636–648. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2017-0662
Wang LL, Bornert M, Héripré E, Yang DS, Chanchole S (2014) Irreversible deformation and damage in argillaceous rocks induced by wetting/drying. J Appl Geophys 107:108–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2014.05.015
Wang Y, Cong L, Yin X, Yang X, Zhang B, Xiong W (2021) Creep behaviour of saturated purple mudstone under triaxial compression. Eng Geol 288:106159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2021.106159
Wen BP, He L (2012) Influence of lixiviation by irrigation water on residual shear strength of weathered red mudstone in Northwest China: implication for its role in landslides’ reactivation. Eng Geol 151:56–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2012.08.005
Yao W, Li C, Zhan H, Zhou JQ, Criss RE, Xiong S, Jiang X (2020) Multiscale study of physical and mechanical properties of sandstone in three Gorges reservoir region subjected to cyclic wetting-drying of yangtze river water. Rock Mech Rock Eng 53(5):2215–2231. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-019-02037-7
Ye C, Xue F, Xie Y, Cao F (2019) Experimental research on the engineering mechanical properties of carbon mudstone. J Railway Eng Soc 36(11):1–6. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1006-2106.2019.11.001
Zeng L, Fu HY, Li T, Qin YQ (2012) The analysis of seepage characteristics and stability of carbonaceous mudstone embankment slope in rainfall condition. Adv Mater Res 446–449:1864–1868. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.446-449.1864
Zeng L, Yu HC, Liu J, Gao QF, Bian HB (2021) Mechanical behaviour of disintegrated carbonaceous mudstone under stress and cyclic drying/wetting. Constr Build Mater 282:122656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122656
Zhang L, Mao X, Liu R, Guo X, Ma D (2014) The mechanical properties of mudstone at high temperatures: an experimental study. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47(4):1479–1484. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0435-2
Zhang BY, Zhang JH, Sun GL (2015) Deformation and shear strength of rockfill materials composed of soft siltstones subjected to stress, cyclical drying/wetting and temperature variations. Eng Geol 190:87–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2015.03.006
Zhang S, Xu Q, Hu Z (2016) Effects of rainwater softening on red mudstone of deep-seated landslide, Southwest China. Eng Geol 204:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.01.013
Zhang T, Liu S, Zhan H, Ma C, Cai G (2020) Durability of silty soil stabilized with recycled lignin for sustainable engineering materials. J Clean Prod 248:119293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119293
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. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-1087-9
Zhou W, Cheng J, Zhang G, Li H, Cheng Y, Ma G, Ji X (2021) Effects of wetting-drying cycles on the breakage characteristics of slate rock grains. Rock Mech Rock Eng 54(12):6323–6337. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-021-02618-5
Acknowledgements
The funding provided by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41907248 and 41807260) and National Primary Research & Development Plan of China (2019YFC1806000) are appreciated. The author (Tao Zhang) acknowledges the China Scholarship Council for supporting his study at University College London.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yang, YL., Zhang, T., Liu, SY. et al. Mechanical Properties and Deterioration Mechanism of Remolded Carbonaceous Mudstone Exposed to Wetting–Drying Cycles. Rock Mech Rock Eng 55, 3769–3780 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-022-02833-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-022-02833-8