Document Type : Original Research Paper
Authors
1 M.Sc in Rock Mechanics, Faculty of Mining Engineering, University of Tehran , Tehran, Iran
2 M.Sc in Rock Mechanics, Faculty of Mining Engineering, University of Tehran, Iran
3 Faculty of Earth Sciences Engineering, Arak University of Technology, Arak, Iran
Abstract
Concrete and rock-like materials play a crucial role in civil and mining engineering due to their favorable mechanical performance, design flexibility, and relatively low production costs. However, the coupled and simultaneous assessment of mechanical properties and energy-based characteristics in this materials has received comparatively limited attention. In this study, the mechanical behavior and energy-based responses of rock-like specimens prepared using seven mix designs (Types 1–7), categorized into three main groups, were investigated through uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests, triaxial compression tests, and Brazilian tensile strength tests. Group 1 specimens were designed to evaluate the effect of cement-to-fine sand ratio, Group 2 specimens investigated gypsum-containing cementitious mixes without sand at a constant water-to-cement ratio, and Group 3 specimens were used to assess the effect of water-to-cement ratio in cement–sand mixes with a constant cement-to-sand ratio. Energy components were quantified using Python-based numerical analysis. The results show that increasing the cement-to-fine sand ratio enhances compressive strength and promotes a more brittle failure response. Group 1 specimens exhibited the highest compressive strength and fracture energy. In contrast, Group 2 specimens showed reduced strength and a more ductile mechanical behavior, while Group 3 specimens displayed intermediate mechanical and energy characteristics. Triaxial compression test results indicated that Group 1 specimens possessed higher cohesion and internal friction angles compared to the other groups, while Group 2 specimens showed a reduction in cohesion and load-bearing capacity. Overall, this study fully demonstrates the significant influence of the mixture composition on the mechanical and energy-based behavior of rock-like materials.
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