Acoustic Emission Characteristics of the Water Weakening Effect on Cretaceous Weakly Cemented Sandstone

Rock mass stability is often affected by water–rock interaction in underground engineering construction. Cretaceous sandstones have weak cementation, low strength and strong water-holding capacity, their rock easily weakened these activities. In this paper, the uniaxial compressive (UCS) tensile (TS) of weakly cemented from different sedimentary facies under natural saturated conditions were tested, loading process was monitored acoustic emission (AE) technique. The results show that existence water obviously mechanical properties sandstone. UCS TS braided river sandstone decreased to 41.24% 35.95% states, respectively, while those desert 32.90% 26.98% respectively. AE characteristics similar during due weakening water, including a decrease cumulative energy, b-value fluctuation reduction peak frequency distribution range. Fracture Brazilian splitting test mainly rapid initiation coalescence microcracks near point. However, compression test, macro fractures caused many occurred continuously finally connected. high quartz feldspar contents strengthened fluvial compared lessened effect weakening.