Abstract
Rock fracture is a macroscopic fracturing process resulting from the initiation and propagation of microscopic cracks. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the damage and fracture mechanism of rock under ultrasonic vibration by investigating the evolutionary pattern of the meso-pore fracture structure in response to high-frequency vibrational loads, as explored in this study. Standard red sandstone samples with a diameter of 50 mm and height of 100 mm were subjected to ultrasonic high-frequency vibration tests. NMR and CT scans were conducted on the rock samples at different stages of ultrasonic vibration excitation to obtain the corresponding transverse relaxation time (T(2)) spectra and CT scan images for each layer. The NMR test results revealed that smaller pores formed within the rock under high-frequency vibration loads, with a noticeable expansion observed in micropores. Three-dimensional reconstruction analysis based on two-dimensional CT images demonstrated an increase in pore count by 145.56%, 122.67%, and 98.87%, respectively, for the upper, middle, and lower parts of the rock after 120 s of ultrasonic vibration excitation; furthermore, the maximum pore volume increased by 239.42%, 109.16%, and 18.99%, respectively, for these regions during this period as well. These findings contribute towards a deeper understanding regarding the mechanisms underlying rock fragmentation when exposed to high-frequency vibrational loads.