The Influence of Temperature on Mode I Fracture Toughness and Fracture Characteristics of Sandstone

This study investigated the influence of temperature on the mode I fracture toughness of sandstone using semicircular bend specimens. Fracture characteristics were studied using scanning electron microscopy and other means. The results showed that temperature influenced fracturing in three stages along a temperature gradient. In the low-temperature stage (20–100 °C), fracture toughness increases slowly, with a total increase of approximately...