Experimental investigation on the evolution of damage and seepage characteristics for red sandstone under thermal–mechanical coupling conditions

Rock masses in underground space usually experience the coupling of high-temperature field, stress field and seepage field, which gives them complex mechanical behavior and permeability characteristics. To study the mechanical properties and permeability characteristics of red sandstone under different temperature environments, a seepage test under high temperature and triaxial compression is carried out based on the RLW-2000 multi-field coupling tester. The results show that the plastic flow of red sandstone at the stress peak under the same temperature is more obvious with the increase of confining pressure. In addition, as the confining pressure gradient increases, the permeability decreases and the trend becomes slower. And the higher the operating temperature, the easier to produce seepage channels inside the rock sample. The development of fissures is rapidly developed under the effect of temperature, so the seepage channels are widened and increased, and the permeability is greatly increased. The constitutive model of rock statistical damage considering the interaction of high temperature and osmotic pressure was constructed based on the experimental data and combining theoretical methods to reveal the characteristics of permeability evolution induced by thermal damage of rocks. The research results can be used as a reference for monitoring rock stability during geological engineering projects involving thermal–seepage–stress coupling conditions.