Experimental study on mechanical properties of red sandstone under cyclic load after dry-wet cycles

This study investigates the mechanical properties of red sandstone in the Three Gorges Reservoir area under cyclic loading after dry-wet cycles.Results show that the first five cycles significantly affect the dry mass, with a 1.16 % decrease.Under the same cyclic loads, peak stress decreases with increasing dry-wet cycles, and stress-strain curves exhibit hysteresis loops.Elastic modulus increases in stages with the stress amplitude, with the first five cycles having the most significant impact.These findings offer crucial theoretical guidance for safeguarding hazardous slopes within the drawdown zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir.