Mechanical behavior of a new similar material for weathered limestone in karst area: An experimental investigation

Abstract Considering the important effect of mineral composition, this article deduces the similarity criterion based on the dimensional method. Similar materials suitable for tuffs with different degrees of weathering in karst areas are made. By virtue of the orthogonal experiment, the mechanical behaviors of the similar materials with various mix proportions are systematically investigated. It provides an important reference and basis for the next proposed model tests on the stability of tuff strata in karst areas. The results indicate that a stable mechanical behavior can be achieved for the similar material made of quartz sand, cement, gypsum, limestone powder, diatomite, red clay, and water. Moreover, it is also found that the aggregate and the binder have an observable influence on the mechanical behavior of the similar material. With an increase in the amount of cement and gypsum, the homogeneity of the sample increases, failure mode in which the specimen shows lateral compression damage. However, with increasing the amount of quartz sand, there is a tendency that a weak structural plane will be generated within the sample. Thus, this similar material can be satisfactorily used for simulating limestone of different weathering degrees in a scaled model test.