Effect of the Water-Rock Interaction on the Creep Mechanical Properties of the Sandstone Rock

After the commencement of the Three Gorges hydropower project, the reservoir water level has been fluctuating by 30 m (145–175 m) annually. The stability of the bank slope has been highlighted since the reservoir water level has been repeated. Apart from that, the long-term effect of the water-rock interaction on the rheological and mechanical properties of the rock was not studied sufficiently. Therefore, a typical sandstone rock was brought from the Three Gorges reservoir area, to meet the purpose of this study. Then, a series of water-rock interaction tests were conducted to simulate the fluctuations in the reservoir water level. Based upon the experimental results, the following points were pointed out: 1) for the first three successive water-rock interaction cycles, the long-term strength of the rock was dramatically reduced. In contrast, the rate of reduction on the long-term strength of the rock was getting a steady state after six successive water rock interactions.2) At the failure stress level, the rock specimens exhibited similar characteristics under different water-rock interaction cycles. 3) The densely compacted micro structures of the sandstone rock were transformed into loose and porous state.