Investigation of damage characteristics in freeze-thawed grey-white sandstone using AE multifractal analysis

Abstract The freeze–thaw (F-T) process in high-altitude rocks is a critical factor influencing the stability of engineering structures in such environments. Grey-white sandstone, fully saturated with water, was subjected to repeated F-T cycles to investigate its behavior under uniaxial compression....

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Main Authors: Xinlei Zhang, Xiaoli Liu, Jiaxu Jin, Haibo Wang, Zhiqiang Lv, Yong Xiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-025-01023-4
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author Xinlei Zhang
Xiaoli Liu
Jiaxu Jin
Haibo Wang
Zhiqiang Lv
Yong Xiao
author_facet Xinlei Zhang
Xiaoli Liu
Jiaxu Jin
Haibo Wang
Zhiqiang Lv
Yong Xiao
author_sort Xinlei Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The freeze–thaw (F-T) process in high-altitude rocks is a critical factor influencing the stability of engineering structures in such environments. Grey-white sandstone, fully saturated with water, was subjected to repeated F-T cycles to investigate its behavior under uniaxial compression. Acoustic emission (AE) tests were conducted following these cycles, and multifractal theory was applied to evaluate the impact of F-T cycles on the rock's macroscopic mechanical properties, AE characteristics, three-dimensional AE localization distribution, and multifractal behavior. Results indicate that as the number of F-T cycles increases, the compressive strength and loading duration of the sandstone decrease significantly. This reduction is accompanied by an earlier onset of fluctuations in the ringing count rate and an upward trend in the dynamic b-value curve. Additionally, the fracture mode shifts from shear-dominated to tension-dominated failure. A close correlation was observed between the spatial distribution of AE localization points and the macroscopic cracking patterns. The sudden increase in Δα and the sudden drop in Δf(α) in multifractal parameters can serve as precursors for the instability warning of freeze-thawed rocks. As the number of F-T cycles increases, the width of the multifractal spectrum Δα increases, Δf(α) decreases, and the sudden increase in Δα and the sudden drop in Δf(α) in the time-varying dynamic curves of multifractal parameters occur earlier. This study provides important theoretical support and technical reference for damage monitoring and stability assessment in geotechnical engineering in cold regions.
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series Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources
spelling doaj-art-abe31aaee4e24b9984ba7f076a48d8a22025-08-20T04:03:07ZengSpringerGeomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources2363-84192363-84272025-07-0111111910.1007/s40948-025-01023-4Investigation of damage characteristics in freeze-thawed grey-white sandstone using AE multifractal analysisXinlei Zhang0Xiaoli Liu1Jiaxu Jin2Haibo Wang3Zhiqiang Lv4Yong Xiao5School of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua UniversitySchool of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical UniversityAnhui Key Laboratory of Mining Construction Engineering, Anhui University of Science and TechnologySchool of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical UniversitySchool of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical UniversityAbstract The freeze–thaw (F-T) process in high-altitude rocks is a critical factor influencing the stability of engineering structures in such environments. Grey-white sandstone, fully saturated with water, was subjected to repeated F-T cycles to investigate its behavior under uniaxial compression. Acoustic emission (AE) tests were conducted following these cycles, and multifractal theory was applied to evaluate the impact of F-T cycles on the rock's macroscopic mechanical properties, AE characteristics, three-dimensional AE localization distribution, and multifractal behavior. Results indicate that as the number of F-T cycles increases, the compressive strength and loading duration of the sandstone decrease significantly. This reduction is accompanied by an earlier onset of fluctuations in the ringing count rate and an upward trend in the dynamic b-value curve. Additionally, the fracture mode shifts from shear-dominated to tension-dominated failure. A close correlation was observed between the spatial distribution of AE localization points and the macroscopic cracking patterns. The sudden increase in Δα and the sudden drop in Δf(α) in multifractal parameters can serve as precursors for the instability warning of freeze-thawed rocks. As the number of F-T cycles increases, the width of the multifractal spectrum Δα increases, Δf(α) decreases, and the sudden increase in Δα and the sudden drop in Δf(α) in the time-varying dynamic curves of multifractal parameters occur earlier. This study provides important theoretical support and technical reference for damage monitoring and stability assessment in geotechnical engineering in cold regions.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-025-01023-4Freeze–thaw cycleAcoustic emissionCrack propagationMultifractal
spellingShingle Xinlei Zhang
Xiaoli Liu
Jiaxu Jin
Haibo Wang
Zhiqiang Lv
Yong Xiao
Investigation of damage characteristics in freeze-thawed grey-white sandstone using AE multifractal analysis
Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources
Freeze–thaw cycle
Acoustic emission
Crack propagation
Multifractal
title Investigation of damage characteristics in freeze-thawed grey-white sandstone using AE multifractal analysis
title_full Investigation of damage characteristics in freeze-thawed grey-white sandstone using AE multifractal analysis
title_fullStr Investigation of damage characteristics in freeze-thawed grey-white sandstone using AE multifractal analysis
title_full_unstemmed Investigation of damage characteristics in freeze-thawed grey-white sandstone using AE multifractal analysis
title_short Investigation of damage characteristics in freeze-thawed grey-white sandstone using AE multifractal analysis
title_sort investigation of damage characteristics in freeze thawed grey white sandstone using ae multifractal analysis
topic Freeze–thaw cycle
Acoustic emission
Crack propagation
Multifractal
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-025-01023-4
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