Experimental study on mix proportion of transparent similar materials for rock mass

Traditional rock mass is opaque and the internal deformation and fracture process cannot be observed directly, using transparent materials to make similar models is an effective solution. E-44 type epoxy resin is used as aggregate, triethanolamine is used as curing agent, and alcohol rosin saturated solution (RSS) is added to adjust brittleness. Based on comprehensive experimental methods, the influence of the ratio of epoxy resin to triethanolamine and the content of RSS on the density, uniaxial compressive strength, peak strain, elastic modulus, tensile strength, cohesion and friction angle of transparent rock mass are studied in series. The results show that the ratio of epoxy resin to triethanolamine plays a leading role in the compressive strength, elastic modulus, tensile strength, cohesion and friction angle of similar transparent materials, while the content of the RSS plays a leading role in the density and peak strain. The density and peak strain is positively correlated with the ratio of epoxy resin to triethanolamine, and negatively correlated with the content of RSS. When the ratio of epoxy resin to triethanolamine is 3∶1, the compressive strength of the specimen is negatively correlated with the content of RSS, while at other ratios, the compressive strength does not change significantly. The elastic modulus and friction angle of the test piece is positively correlated with the ratio of epoxy resin and triethanolamine. When the ratio of epoxy resin to triethanolamine is 3∶1, the elastic modulus of the test piece is negatively correlated with the content of RSS. While at other ratios, the elastic modulus of the specimen is positively correlated with the content of RSS. The tensile strength and cohesion decreased with the increase of RSS content, and first increased and then decreased with the increase of the ratio of epoxy resin to triethanolamine. In the same ratio of epoxy resin to triethanolamine, the tensile strength was negatively correlated with RSS content. Based on multiple linear regression analysis, an empirical formula between the mechanical properties of transparent rock mass and the ratio of epoxy resin to triethanolamine and RSS content is established, which provides a reference for the proportion of similar materials in transparent rock mass.