| Summary: | In order to explore the evolution mechanism of freeze–thaw disasters and the role of water in the freezing–thawing cycles of rocks, the macro mechanical indexes and microstructural characteristics of seven different saturation sandstones after certain freeze–thaw cycles were analyzed. Electron microscope scanning, nuclear magnetic resonance, and uniaxial compression tests were employed to study the migration law of water in the rock, the crack growth law, and the damage mechanism during freeze–thaw cycles. The results showed that when the saturation was 85%, the peak load curve of sandstone with different saturation appeared at the minimum point, and the porosity of sandstone reached the maximum. The damage variable increased sharply when the saturation was 75–85%. This proves that 85% saturation is the critical value of sandstone after five freeze–thaw cycles. The water migration freezing model is established, and the migration direction of capillary film water during freezing is micropore → mesopore → macropore. The migration of water is accompanied by the expansion and generation of cracks. Then we study the mechanism and law of crack expansion, and the crack propagation rate is positively related to the theoretical suction. The theoretical suction and theoretical ice pressure increased linearly with the decrease in temperature, which accelerated the crack propagation. The crack propagation rate in decreasing order is <i>V<sub>macropore</sub></i> > <i>V<sub>mesopore</sub></i> > <i>V<sub>micropore</sub></i>. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for evaluating the stability of rocks under the action of freeze–thaw cycles in cold regions.
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