Meso-structural characterization and discrete element modeling of freeze-thaw damage in sandstone using polarized light images

IF 4.9 2区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, CIVIL

Cold Regions Science and Technology Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-12 DOI:10.1016/j.coldregions.2026.104863

Guopeng Wu , Zhijie Zhao , Guanghao Yu , Ruiying Zhang , Zhuohang Tian , Jiacheng Sui , Kai Cui , Qiangqiang Pei

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

To investigate the damage characteristics of sandstone supporting the Helan Mountain petroglyphs under freeze-thaw cycling, polarized light microscopy was used to obtain meso-structural images of the sandstone. Based on the distribution of mineral particles, a discrete element model was constructed to simulate the mechanical behavior and damage evolution of sandstone during freeze-thaw cycles, and the reliability of the simulations was verified by laboratory tests. Results showed freeze-thaw cracks were driven by mineral anisotropy and water-ice phase transition. The phase transition caused volumetric expansion and accelerated mineral detachment: mica foliation slipped to form preferential crack channels, feldspar cleavage propagated transgranularly, and coupled with quartz rotation to promote radial crack extension. Pores exhibited a “slow-rapid-slow” pattern, the porosity increased from 0.13 to 0.232,eventually forming honeycomb damaged zones with dominant displacement mechanism shift. With increasing cycles, the compressive strength of sandstone decreased by 25.3%, the elastic modulus attenuated by 26.7%, with simulated and experimental curves consistent. Loading-induced microcracks followed “slow-moderate-rapid” evolution, dominated by tensile cracks early and shear cracks later, with the ratio of tensile to shear cracks being 1.18 and cracks mainly concentrated in the orientation range of 30–120°. Variations in force chains and contact numbers are the coupled results of freeze-thaw cracks and mineral heterogeneity. Differences in mineral compositions lead to their uneven distribution: the weak mineral regions are continuously weakened, accompanied by sparse force chain networks and decreased contact numbers; while the hard mineral regions are temporarily strengthened, with local concentration of force chains and increased contact numbers. The proposed “mineral-phase transition” coupling damage mechanism provides new insights into the microscopic mechanisms of freeze-thaw damage in Helan Mountain sandstone and offers a reference for the conservation of the Helankou rock art.

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基于偏振光图像的砂岩冻融损伤细观结构表征及离散元建模

为了研究贺兰山岩画在冻融循环作用下支撑砂岩的损伤特征，利用偏振光显微镜对砂岩进行细观结构成像。基于矿物颗粒的分布，建立了冻融循环过程中砂岩力学行为和损伤演化的离散元模型，并通过室内试验验证了模型的可靠性。结果表明：冻融裂缝是由矿物各向异性和水冰相变驱动的。相变导致体积膨胀，加速矿物脱离：云母片理滑移形成优先裂缝通道，长石解理跨粒传播，并与石英旋转结合促进径向裂缝扩展。孔隙度呈现“慢-快-慢”的变化规律，孔隙度由0.13增加到0.232，最终形成以位移机制为主的蜂窝状损伤带。随着循环次数的增加，砂岩抗压强度下降25.3%，弹性模量衰减26.7%，模拟曲线与实验曲线一致。加载诱发微裂纹的演化规律为“慢-中-快”，早期以拉伸裂纹为主，后期以剪切裂纹为主，拉伸与剪切裂纹之比为1.18，裂纹主要集中在30 ~ 120°取向范围内。力链和接触数的变化是冻融裂缝和矿物非均质性的耦合结果。矿物组成的差异导致其分布不均匀：弱矿物区不断弱化，力链网络稀疏，接触次数减少；而硬矿区暂时加强，局部力链集中，联系人数增加。提出的“矿物—相转变”耦合损伤机制为贺兰山砂岩冻融损伤的微观机制提供了新的认识，为贺兰口岩画的保护提供了参考。

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来源期刊

Cold Regions Science and Technology 工程技术-地球科学综合

CiteScore

7.40

自引率

12.20%

发文量

209

审稿时长

4.9 months

期刊介绍： Cold Regions Science and Technology is an international journal dealing with the science and technical problems of cold environments in both the polar regions and more temperate locations. It includes fundamental aspects of cryospheric sciences which have applications for cold regions problems as well as engineering topics which relate to the cryosphere. Emphasis is given to applied science with broad coverage of the physical and mechanical aspects of ice (including glaciers and sea ice), snow and snow avalanches, ice-water systems, ice-bonded soils and permafrost. Relevant aspects of Earth science, materials science, offshore and river ice engineering are also of primary interest. These include icing of ships and structures as well as trafficability in cold environments. Technological advances for cold regions in research, development, and engineering practice are relevant to the journal. Theoretical papers must include a detailed discussion of the potential application of the theory to address cold regions problems. The journal serves a wide range of specialists, providing a medium for interdisciplinary communication and a convenient source of reference.