Influence of wet–dry, freeze–thaw, and heat–cool cycles on the physical and mechanical properties of Upper Red sandstones in central Iran

AbstractThe effects of wet–dry, freeze–thaw, and heat–cool cycles on the physical and mechanical properties of Upper Red Formation sandstones located southwest of Qom, central Iran, were determined. Five different types of sandstones were selected, and freeze–thaw, wet–dry, and heat–cool cyclic tests were performed. The freeze–thaw test was carried out for 30 cycles, and the P-wave velocities, porosities, and uniaxial compressive strengths of the specimens were determined after every five cycles. Heat–cool and wet–dry cycles were repeated for 40 cycles. Based on the strength deterioration ratio, it was found that freeze–thaw cycles degrade the physical and mechanical properties of sandstones more strongly than heat–cool and wet–dry cycles do. The results also show that the presence of zeolite cement has a significantly effect on sandstone resistance to freeze–thaw cycles. Further, it was found that sandstone strength as well as petrographic properties such as grain size and grain contacts do not have the expected effect on sample deterioration during freeze–thaw cycles. Finally, it was concluded that pore size plays an important role in sandstone resistance to freeze–thaw cycles.