Strength Deterioration Model of Soft Rock Considering Mesoscopic Bonding–Expansion Coupling Mechanism under Freeze–Thaw Cycles

The mechanical deterioration of soft rocks under freeze–thaw cycles is caused by the accumulation mesoscopic damage. However, current model for does not adequately consider multiscale correlations, which makes strength calculation results differ greatly from test and cannot fully reveal damage mechanism cycling conditions. In this paper, bond pore ice expansion laws are considered soft-rock unit a proposed. extended to intact cracked Discrete Element Method (DEM). validated laboratory tests. peak strengths calculated within 10% error different numbers cycles, macroscopic crack development simulation consistent with joints have significant effect on evolution: freeze–thaw-induced in accumulates at uniform rate, while grows exponentially; cracks distributed between 60 90°, tensile–shear ratio 1:2; around 1:3. proposed paper can renders it easy promote application hazard problem rock engineering.