Weathering Processes and Mechanisms of Low-Grade Metamorphic Rock following Freeze-Thaw Processes

A remarkable risk in the field of rock engineering is the natural exposure of low-grade metamorphic rock to the freeze-thaw process. Examples of such materials are slate and phyllite, which are employed approximately mountainous permafrost zones. In order to study the weathering processes and mechan...

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Main Authors: Guopeng Wu, Kai Cui, Pei Wang, Wenwu Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-01-01
Series:Geofluids
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/5814341
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author Guopeng Wu
Kai Cui
Pei Wang
Wenwu Chen
author_facet Guopeng Wu
Kai Cui
Pei Wang
Wenwu Chen
author_sort Guopeng Wu
collection DOAJ
description A remarkable risk in the field of rock engineering is the natural exposure of low-grade metamorphic rock to the freeze-thaw process. Examples of such materials are slate and phyllite, which are employed approximately mountainous permafrost zones. In order to study the weathering processes and mechanisms in low-grade metamorphic rock following freeze-thaw weathering processes, the freeze-thaw cycles were applied. Accordingly to this process, low-grade metamorphic rock partially or completely deteriorates, and mechanical properties, microstructure, and mineral content changes are commonly associated with freeze-thaw processes. This study shows that, following numerous freeze-thaw cycles processes, the quality, wave velocity, and compressive strength of rock reduce; calcite, mica, feldspar, and pyrite contents decrease; and clay minerals and gypsum content increase. Furthermore, the study also demonstrated that the changes in quality, wave velocity, and compressive strength caused by weathering of the rock followed the sequence slate > phyllite. However, the mineral contents of slate and phyllite alter in the same way. Because of this increase in volume and subsequent F-T cycles, new cracks form on the surfaces of pores due to outward pressure, and a lot of water is absorbed by clay minerals. The amount of water increases once again due to freezing as the temperature falls below zero degrees Celsius. This course duplicates with cyclic temperature changes and causes deterioration of low-grade metamorphic rock materials. By analysis of an examination of the damage variables based on wave velocity, it is possible to conclude that mineral changes during the freeze-thaw effect may make for the formation of voids and the deterioration of metamorphic rock. This research contributes to a better understanding of weathering processes and mechanisms of low-grade metamorphic rock following freeze-thaw weathering processes.
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spelling doaj-art-05e1ed1eeac5407f919bf6591d5b927e2025-02-03T06:42:39ZengWileyGeofluids1468-81232023-01-01202310.1155/2023/5814341Weathering Processes and Mechanisms of Low-Grade Metamorphic Rock following Freeze-Thaw ProcessesGuopeng Wu0Kai Cui1Pei Wang2Wenwu Chen3School of Civil EngineeringSchool of Civil EngineeringSchool of Civil EngineeringKey Laboratory of Mechanics on Disaster and Environment in Western ChinaA remarkable risk in the field of rock engineering is the natural exposure of low-grade metamorphic rock to the freeze-thaw process. Examples of such materials are slate and phyllite, which are employed approximately mountainous permafrost zones. In order to study the weathering processes and mechanisms in low-grade metamorphic rock following freeze-thaw weathering processes, the freeze-thaw cycles were applied. Accordingly to this process, low-grade metamorphic rock partially or completely deteriorates, and mechanical properties, microstructure, and mineral content changes are commonly associated with freeze-thaw processes. This study shows that, following numerous freeze-thaw cycles processes, the quality, wave velocity, and compressive strength of rock reduce; calcite, mica, feldspar, and pyrite contents decrease; and clay minerals and gypsum content increase. Furthermore, the study also demonstrated that the changes in quality, wave velocity, and compressive strength caused by weathering of the rock followed the sequence slate > phyllite. However, the mineral contents of slate and phyllite alter in the same way. Because of this increase in volume and subsequent F-T cycles, new cracks form on the surfaces of pores due to outward pressure, and a lot of water is absorbed by clay minerals. The amount of water increases once again due to freezing as the temperature falls below zero degrees Celsius. This course duplicates with cyclic temperature changes and causes deterioration of low-grade metamorphic rock materials. By analysis of an examination of the damage variables based on wave velocity, it is possible to conclude that mineral changes during the freeze-thaw effect may make for the formation of voids and the deterioration of metamorphic rock. This research contributes to a better understanding of weathering processes and mechanisms of low-grade metamorphic rock following freeze-thaw weathering processes.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/5814341
spellingShingle Guopeng Wu
Kai Cui
Pei Wang
Wenwu Chen
Weathering Processes and Mechanisms of Low-Grade Metamorphic Rock following Freeze-Thaw Processes
Geofluids
title Weathering Processes and Mechanisms of Low-Grade Metamorphic Rock following Freeze-Thaw Processes
title_full Weathering Processes and Mechanisms of Low-Grade Metamorphic Rock following Freeze-Thaw Processes
title_fullStr Weathering Processes and Mechanisms of Low-Grade Metamorphic Rock following Freeze-Thaw Processes
title_full_unstemmed Weathering Processes and Mechanisms of Low-Grade Metamorphic Rock following Freeze-Thaw Processes
title_short Weathering Processes and Mechanisms of Low-Grade Metamorphic Rock following Freeze-Thaw Processes
title_sort weathering processes and mechanisms of low grade metamorphic rock following freeze thaw processes
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/5814341
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