Time-dependent behaviors and volumetric recovery phenomenon of sandstone under triaxial loading and unloading

The time-dependent behaviors of coal and rocks were easily ignored. Besides, "three-stage" triaxial loading and unloading mechanics tests of sandstone were conducted based on the idea of the initial high in-situ stress state recovery according to the full-life cycle evolution characteristics of surrounding rocks in deep mines (pre-excavation, excavation and post-excavation). The time-dependent stress - strain curves of sandstone were obtained. Meanwhile, the deformation and strength fitting relationships with time of sandstone were also built. Furthermore, the dilatancy and volumetric recovery mechanical mechanisms of sandstone were revealed. The results showed that: 1) There were significant time-dependent evolution characteristics on the deformation and strength of sandstone; 2) There were significant correlations among the internal friction angle, cohesion and the simulated depths; 3) Volumetric recovery phenomenon of sandstone was observed for the first time, which mainly occurred at the simulated depth of 2000 m. The above research conclusions could provide a certain theoretical basis for the stability control of surrounding rocks in deep mines.