Static compressive mechanical properties and disturbed state concept-based theoretical model of gypsum rocks with coupled influences of wet-dry cycles and flow rates

Abstract

Gypsum rocks are highly susceptible to mechanical deterioration under the coupled effects of wet-dry (W-D) cycles and flow rates, which significantly influence the stability of underground excavations. Despite extensive research on the effects of W-D cycles, the coupling influence of flow rates and W-D cycles on gypsum rocks remains poorly understood. This study investigates the mechanical behavior and deterioration mechanisms of gypsum rocks subjected to varying W-D cycles and flow rate conditions. Axial compression tests, along with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, were employed to analyze the stress – strain response and microstructural changes. Based on the disturbed state concept (DSC) theory, a W-D deterioration model and a DSC-based constitutive model were developed to describe the degradation trends and mechanical responses of gypsum rocks under different conditions. The results demonstrate that key mechanical indices, elastic modulus, cohesion, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and internal friction angle, exhibit logarithmic declines with increasing W-D cycles, with higher flow rates accelerating the deterioration process. The theoretical models accurately capture the nonlinear compaction behavior, peak stress, and post-peak response of gypsum specimens. This study provides valuable insights for predicting the mechanical behavior of gypsum rocks and improving the stability assessments of underground structures under complex environmental conditions.

Keywords

gypsum rocks / wet-dry cycles / flow rates / mechanical properties / disturbed state concept

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Central South University