ABSTRACT
Rock mass degradation depends on many factors, including freeze-thaw cycles, temperature, exposure time, and rock type. Freeze-thaw cycles can alter rock properties, causing tunnel instability. Thus, this study examined marble rocks from Kishangarh that had been freeze-thawed several times. The testing was conducted under both monotonic and dynamic loading conditions to replicate quasi – static and high strain rate loading. The Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus was used to investigate the behavior of FT-treated marble rock subjected to high strain rate loading. The material under dynamic loading was studied using pulse shapers of different sizes. Based on the findings, the suitable diameter of pulse shaper was recommended for marble rock treated with FT cycles. It was found that the rock strength increases with strain rate because of material failure mechanism, but it decreases with freezing and thawing cycles due to pre-existing microcracks.
