Influence of water saturation conditions on the compressive strength of carbonate rocks
https://doi.org/10.31242/2618-9712-2025-30-2-220-230
Abstract
The investigation into the influence of water on the mechanical properties of rocks is essential for their effective application in various fields, particularly in mining, dam construction, tunneling, and waste management. The presence of water within the pore spaces of geological materials, along with the existence of pores, cracks, and voids, plays a significant role in determining their mechanical characteristics. This study presents the results of an experimental investigation into the effects of water saturation conditions on the compressive strength of dolomite and limestone specimens, which are recognized as host rocks in the diamond deposits found in the Botuobinskaya and Dalnaya tubes. Following established research methodologies, specific water saturation regimes were selected, and mechanical tests were conducted on specimens that were saturated to predetermined levels and subsequently maintained for varying durations. The results from the three series of tests revealed the dependence of the compressive strength of dolomite on the duration of holding time. A significant effect of holding time on the material’s strength was observed, indicating that it can lead to both a decrease and an increase in strength. This phenomenon is hypothesized to be associated with a non-homogeneous distribution of water and the development of a “dry” core within the specimen. The analysis indicates that, within the framework of the “dry” core model, various fracture scenarios may develop within the material. These scenarios will affect the nature of the dependence of the specimen’s strength on holding time in a wet condition, including its non-monotonic behavior. The findings are not only fundamentally important for advancing the understanding and accurate description of the mechanisms of water interaction with rock but also have practical implications for assessing the stability and long-term durability of flooded mine workings.
Supporting agencies: This study was conducted within the framework of the state assignment for the Chersky Mining Institute of the North SB RAS, titled “An examination of the response of geomaterials to alternating temperature fields, thermophysical, aerogasdynamic, and geomechanical processes in mining operations and rock formations during the extraction of solid mineral deposits in the Cryolithozone.” This project (No. FWRS-2021-00210) used the scientific equipment available at the Core Shared Research Facilities of the Federal Research Centre “The Yakut Scientific Centre of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences”.
About the Author
S. V. Suknev
Chersky Mining Institute of the North, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
SUKNEV, Sergey Victorovich, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Chief Researcher
ResearcherID: S-7251-2016, Scopus Author ID: 6602361450
Yakutsk
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Review
For citations:
Suknev S.V. Influence of water saturation conditions on the compressive strength of carbonate rocks. Arctic and Subarctic Natural Resources. 2025;30(2):220-230. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31242/2618-9712-2025-30-2-220-230
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