High Temperature Effects on Mechanical Properties of Geomaterials

Geomaterials such as sandstone, granite and marble exhibit pronounced changes in mechanical performance when subjected to elevated temperatures. Initial heating often induces thermal expansion and microcrack closure, leading to slight strengthening at moderate temperatures. As temperatures rise further, dehydration and mineral phase transitions generate internal stresses, coalescing microcracks and increasing porosity. Beyond critical thresholds—commonly between 400 °C and 600 °C—elastic modulus and uniaxial compressive strength begin to decline sharply, and failure modes shift from brittle fracturing to quasi-brittle or even plastic deformation. These alterations are governed by the mineralogical composition, existing pore network and confining stress conditions. Understanding these processes is essential for geothermal energy exploitation, underground waste disposal, high-temperature tunnelling and deep mining operations, where structural integrity and long-term stability depend on accurate predictions of temperature-induced damage.

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High Temperature Effects on Mechanical Properties of Geomaterials publication trend

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Technical terms

Porosity: The proportion of a rock’s volume occupied by void spaces, affecting its strength and permeability.

Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS): The maximum axial stress a rock specimen can sustain before failure under single-axis loading.

Elastic Modulus: A measure of material stiffness defined as the ratio of stress to elastic strain in the linear deformation range.

Brittle-Ductile Transition: The temperature or stress condition at which rock failure mode changes from sudden fracturing to gradual deformation.

Phase Transition: A temperature-driven change in mineral crystal structure that can alter mechanical and thermal properties.

References

1. Influence of High-Temperature Treatment on Strength and Failure Behaviors of a Quartz-Rich Sandstone under True Triaxial Condition. Lithosphere (2022).
2. Experimental Investigation of Thermal Strengthening in Sichuan Marble. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (2022).
3. Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Hard Rocks at High Temperature: Applications in Civil Engineering. Advances in Civil Engineering (2021).