# Research Progress on the Mechanisms and Control Methods of Rockbursts under Water-Rock Interactions
## 2 The Mechanisms through Which Water Impacts the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Rocks  
Typically, the presence of water reduces the strength and elastic brittleness of rocks, making them more susceptible to damage and affecting their physical properties [41; 42; 43]. [PERSON] et al. [44] studied the stress-strain response and electromagnetic radiation (EMR) signal characteristics of water-saturated sandstone under uniaxial cyclic loading and unloading conditions. Their results showed that dry sandstone exhibited significantly higher peak stress than water-saturated samples under cyclic loading and unloading. With increasing water content, the rock's strength, load-bearing capacity, and fatigue life all decreased.  
[PERSON] et al. [45] performed true triaxial tests on a sample of naturally saturated red sandstone cubes containing pore space. They found that in high-stress environments, the presence of water led to a deterioration in tunnel stability, resulting in large-scale, severe stress-induced damage. [PERSON] et al. [46] combined the benefits of water pressure blasting and hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic-controlled blasting is performed first, followed by the use of hydraulic fracturing to alter the structure of coal and rock blocks. Experiments have demonstrated the effectiveness of this method.  
Additionally, the chemical reactions between water and rocks are crucial factors affecting rock stability and failure modes [47; 48]. For instance, in rocks containing soluble salts, the infiltration of water molecules can react with these salts to form new substances, altering the rock's chemical composition [47]. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in salt rock regions and has a substantial impact on rock stability and engineering safety. Many researchers have explained this impact from a microscopic perspective, finding that the primary cause is chemical corrosion, which reduces the cohesion of the rock [47; 48; 49; 50].  
The impact of water on rock stability and failure modes is a complex process influenced by multiple factors. The strength of rocks can vary greatly under different conditions of water action, as can the pattern of damage [51; 52; 53]. For example, [PERSON] [39] carried out several true triaxial compression tests on sandstone specimens with varying levels of water moisture to examine the effect of water on the mechanical properties of hard rocks. [PERSON] et al. [54] examined how water affects the dynamic behavior and failure characteristics of sandstone through experiments simulating geological stress conditions. The study found that water content significantly affects dynamic properties such as sandstone's dynamic strength, wave velocity, and energy absorption capacity. Additionally, under high permeability pressure conditions, damage patterns and properties of sandstones change with varying water content. [PERSON] et al. [55] studied how water weakens sandstone and affects the development of microcracks using triaxial compression tests. Their results revealed that higher water content decreases rock brittleness and increases plastic deformation. Moreover, water content significantly affects the dynamic strength, stiffness, and toughness of sandstone, altering its fracture patterns and damage mechanisms [54; 55; 56].  
The content of moisture significantly affects the mechanical behavior of rocks around tunnels or underground chambers. [57; 58]. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of how water affects rock strength and failure modes is essential for rock engineering projects, both in terms of stability analysis and design. [59; 60]. In practical engineering, it is essential to account for the effects of water and implement appropriate measures to maintain project stability and security.