Volumetric deformation and damage evolution of Tibet interbedded skarn under multistage constant-amplitude-cyclic loading

Multistage constant-amplitude-cyclic (MCAC) loading experiments were conducted on Tibet interbedded skarn to investigate and characterize fatigue mechanical behavior of the tested rock. Rock volumetric deformation, stiffness change, damage evolution analyzed along with macroscopic failure morphology. The experimental results demonstrated that deformation was influenced by interbed structure. presented a two-stage pattern. rock increased quickly at beginning subsequently became steady for long periods time within cyclic stage. A new model proposed basis axial strain. Macroscopic morphology analysis revealed different fracture mechanisms, combining tension-splitting mode, shear-sliding, mixed shear-tension. In this study, understanding anisotropic properties highlighted, could contribute ability predict stabilities engineering structures.