Mechanical Damage and Chemical Dissolution Kinetic Features of Limestone under Coupled Mechanical-Hydrological-Chemical Effects

To address the mechanical damages of limestone under the coupled mechanical(M)-hydrological(H)-chemical(C) effects, we performed uniaxial compression experiments and dissolution kinetics experiments on limestone in flowing and static solutions for different lengths of time. Through experiments, the peak strengths of the limestone under coupled MHC effects for different time lengths and the major ion concentrations in solutions were obtained. By analyzing the strength damage and chemical dissolution kinetic characteristics, we achieved the strength damage equations and chemical dissolution kinetic equations. Results show that when the solution shifted from the static state to the flowing state, and as its acidity increased, the peak strength loss of the limestone rose as well. The solution mobility had a more significant impact on the peak strength loss than the solution pH value. The limestone dissolution in flowing water was higher than in static water, indicating that solution mobility would promote the limestone dissolution. Among the contributing factors to limestone dissolution, the solution pH value showed the strongest impact, followed by the common-ion effect and then the salt effect. The research result is expected to provide a theoretical basis for maintaining the stability of rocks in geotechnical engineering practice and protection of stone cultural relics.