A novel pressing-heating approach for preparation of weakly cemented sandstones
FAN Wenbo
ZHAO Xiaodong
Abstract：Weakly cemented Cretaceous sandstone,widely distributed in China's Ordos Basin,poses geomechanical challenges during shaft sinking and significantly influences lining load characteristics.Accurate characterization of its mechanical behavior is critical for optimizing lining design considering rock-lining interactions.However,the friable nature of this type of sandstone often prevents the re-covery of intact core samples for laboratory testing.To address this limitation,we developed a press-ing-heating(P-H)reconstitution methodology.This technique involves:mechanical compaction of crushed sandstone to enhance intergranular contact,followed by controlled thermal treatment at min-eral-specific temperatures approaching solidus points,inducing localized grain-boundary softening and even partial melting to regenerate weak cementation.Comparative analysis demonstrated that the re-constituted specimens replicate primary mechanical parameters of clay-rich sandstone cores within a deviation less than 10%.Unlike conventional methods requiring cementitious additives,P-H approach preserves intrinsic mineralogical properties,enabling systematic investigation of cementation-controlled physical-mechanical behaviors of weakly cemented sandstones.
Keywords：weakly cemented sandstonesshaft sinkingreconstitution approachpressing-heating se-quential treatment
Publication Date：2026-02-28
Online Publishing Date：2026-01-31(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 32-37 )