Coupled effects of brittleness and fracture geometry on the damage evolution and mechanical degradation of sandstone

Key Points

• Damage evolution increases significantly with variable brittleness levels, influencing fracture geometry—especially under stress conditions.
• Fracture geometry was quantitatively linked to mechanical degradation; higher brittleness correlates with steeper damage curves in sandstone samples.
• Assessment of sandstone materials showed complex interdependencies; both brittleness and fracture patterns affect overall structural integrity and performance.
• Understanding these coupled effects may inform engineering practices, improving the durability of sandstone structures in various applications.