Crack Propagation Process and Seismogenic Mechanisms of Rock Due to the Influence of Freezing and Thawing

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This is an interesting experimental manuscripts. Other similar experiment la works exist but it is interesting that this intends to get mathematical expressions to understand the behavior of a rock under freezing and thawing cycles, one of the main physical weathering mechanisms in cold-temperate climates. The work has merit although it is true that, in real cases usually several weathering process work together, so, in practice, experimental data and field data usually do not totally fit.

The experimental design is correct. Just one minor question is if the authors have used replicates in the experiments (it seems that they did not, but they should leave this point clear in the text).

However, an important question in the study of rock weathering is que properties of the studied rock. One important problem in practice is the different behavior of different rocks that have different minerals, porosity, etc. The authors used a sandstone for the study. Sandstone are very heterogeneous and variable in porosity and composition. So, it is important to provide the origin and name of the rock with the description (petrology, porosity, structural features,…). Without this it would be very difficult to compare the data provided, the results and mathematical expressions and conclusions with other sandstones or even other rock types. This is a major question to solve before publication of the work.

Another major questions I miss is the comparison of the provided results with other previous results in similar studies for other rocks. Are there other mathematical expressions, have they been compared. At least, some comments to other previous data should be included in the discussion. With these two questions the manuscript could be ready for publication.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors,

The effects of freezing and thawing cycle on crack propagation was studied here. Your study is valuable, you tested 12 scenarios but using only one sample for each scenario, which is not enough for conclusions. You need to test at least three samples for some scenarios given here: S-T1-30, S-T0-20, S-T1-20, S-T5-20.

Also, sample (names) numbers do not match with the information that you gave in Table 1 and Table 3.

Please also explain the following questions in your manuscript:

- What are the saturation and porosity for your samples?

- Is initial damage D_NT or D_TN. Which one is correct?

- What is the maximum initial damage value in the literature. Is there a huge difference between initial damage factors  0.2 and 0.3?

Thanks.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript is ready for publication

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear authors,

I do not have any other comments. Revised manuscript can be accepted.

Thanks!