Experimental and numerical analysis of dynamic splitting mechanical properties and crack propagation for frozen sandstone

To reveal the dynamic tensile properties and crack growth law of frozen sandstone under impact loading, dynamic splitting tests (−30–20 °C) with different strain rates were carried out using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB), and the crack growth process of the specimens was captured using a high-speed camera. The study focused on the analysis of dynamic tensile mechanical properties, energy dissipation, crack growth, and failure modes of frozen sandstone. Numerical simulation analyses were also performed using LS-DYNA. The results indicated that: (1) The dynamic tensile strength has an obvious strain rate enhancement effect, and the strain rate sensitivity coefficient increased with a decrease in temperature. The Logistic function can characterize the relationship between the dynamic strain rate enhancement factor and the strain rate of frozen sandstone. (2) In the dynamic Brazilian disk (BD) test, the energy absorption rate showed a transition between the strain rates of 40 s−1 and 50 s−1, and there were two main failure modes of the specimen. The Y-direction secondary crack in mode II was caused by tensile stress in the Z-direction. (3) In the dynamic BD test, the central main crack (CMC) did not occur at the central position first, and its Z-direction propagation rate was linear with the strain rate. In the dynamic flattened Brazilian disk (FBD) test, the condition of CMC initiation was that the platform loading angle (2α) was greater than 10°. The dynamic tensile strength increased with an increase in 2α, and the correction coefficient was introduced in the calculation. This study can serve as a theoretical reference and basis for the study of the dynamic tensile properties of rock-like materials.