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In recent years, the rapid development of offshore exploration and coastal engineering has necessitated stringent requirements for foundation materials, particularly in complex geological environments. Cemented soils, widely used in large-scale offshore engineering projects, play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and stability of offshore structures. However, understanding the mechanical behavior of cemented sand, including its stress-strain relationship, strength characteristics, and long-term performance under different stress paths, remains a challenge. This study uses triaxial tests and discrete element method (DEM) simulations to investigate the mechanical properties of cemented sand, using offshore quartz sand as the aggregate and a gypsum plaster as the cementing agent. The results reveal that higher confining pressures and gypsum content significantly improve the peak and residual strength of cemented sand, while also increasing its brittleness. The particle-size increasing and natural curing results in increased strength, cohesion, and internal friction angle of cemented sand. The study also finds that the stress-strain relationship of cemented sand primarily shows a strain-softening behavior, but gradually transitions to strain-hardening behavior at higher gypsum contents. DEM simulation results show that the displacement of internal particles becomes more pronounced, with particle movement gradually shifting from the vertical to the lateral direction. The research provides a scientific foundation for offshore engineering design, ensuring the safe operation of structures under extreme marine conditions.

来源平台：JOURNAL OF OCEAN ENGINEERING AND MARINE ENERGY