Enhanced Hoek-Brown (H-B) criterion for rocks exposed to chemical corrosion

Underground constructions often encounter water environments, where water–rock interaction can increase porosity, thereby weakening engineering rocks. Correspondingly, the failure criterion for chemically corroded rocks becomes essential in the stability analysis and design of such structures. This study enhances the applicability of the Hoek-Brown (H-B) criterion for engineering structures operating in chemically corrosive conditions by introducing a kinetic porosity-dependent instantaneous mi (KPIM). A multiscale experimental investigation, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pH and ion chromatography analysis, and triaxial compression tests, is employed to quantify pore structural changes and their linkage with the strength responses of limestone under coupled chemical-mechanical (C-M) conditions. By employing ion chromatography and NMR analysis, along with incorporating the principles of free-face dissolution theory accounting for both congruent and incongruent dissolution, a kinetic chemical corrosion model is developed. This model aims to calculate the kinetic porosity alterations within rocks exposed to varying H+ concentrations and durations. Subsequently, utilizing the generalized mixture rule (GMR), the kinetic porosity-dependent mi is formulated. Evaluation of the KPIM-enhanced H-B criterion using compression test data from 5 types of rocks demonstrated a high level of consistency between the criterion and the experimental results, with R2>0.96, Eaar<4.84%, and Erms<5.95 MPa. Finally, the physical significance of the porosity-dependent instantaneous mi is clarified: it serves as an indicator of a rock's capacity to leverage the confining pressure effect.