Influence of Mesoscopic Parameters of Weakly Cemented Rocks on Macroscopic Mechanical Properties

Abstract

In weakly cemented rocks, the mesoscopic parameters have a great influence on the macroscopic mechanical properties. One example of a typical weakly cemented rock is the Cretaceous coarse sandstone in the Hongqinghe Coal Mine. In this study, rock samples were subjected to physical and mechanical experiments, from which a sample model was constructed based on particle flow theory. Uniaxial compression numerical simulation experiments and analyses were conducted, and sensitivity analyses of various microscopic parameters in relation to the macroscopic mechanical properties of the rock were performed via a control variable method. A response mechanism between the macroscopic and mesoscopic parameters was then inferred. On the microscopic scale, the rock is porous with a loose structure and extremely low average uniaxial compressive strength, indicating looseness and weakness. The mesoscopic parameters were then divided into three grades based on their degrees of influence from high to low on the peak strength, peak strain, and elastic modulus. Laboratory experiments revealed that the fracture form of weakly cemented coarse sandstone is typically due to single-section shear failure, whereas through simulation, cracks are caused mainly by tension failure. These two failure modes were inferred to be consistent with each other.