In this paper

materials such as plaster

pumice and diatomite are used to simulate water-bearing porous rock as similar material specimen. The experiment adopts four-factor (cement/plaster/diatomite ratio

the standard ratio of pumice sand

bone-glue ratio and barite powder ratio)

five-level orthogonal experimental design to measure the density

uniaxial compressive strength

porosity

elastic modulus and softening factor. The measurements are conducted to determine whether the simulation materials can be used to simulate water-bearing rocks. With the use of direct analysis method

we determine how various factors affect physical and mechanical nature of the specimens. Analysis results show that: Due to different material ratios

the strength of the specimens is widely distributed. Comparing with the parameters of the porous layer

under certain similar conditions

we find that the specimens are with similar properties to the porous layer rock. Diatomite ratio is negatively correlated with density

compressive strength

elastic modulus and porosity

and it is positively correlated with softening coefficient. Pumice ratio is negatively correlated with density

compressive strength

elastic modulus and softening coefficient

and it is positively correlated with porosity. Therefore

addition of the two materials can simulate the porous nature of the rock sample well. Within the allowable range

the established empirical equation to simulate porous water-bearing rocks can be used in engineering practice.