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Experimental Investigation of Microstructure-Related Scale Effect on Tensile Failure of Coal

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Abstract

We explored the microstructure-related scale effect on the tensile failure of coal. Disc specimens with different diameters (25 mm, 38 mm, 50 mm, and 75 mm) were processed for the Brazil split test. The influence of microstructures on fracture initiation and propagation was detected and analysed by the combination of X-ray computed tomography scanning, digital image correlation approach, and acoustic emission monitoring. The investigation indicated that tensile strength decreased with increasing specimen diameter, and the relationship can be described by an exponential equation. Four tensile failure modes were observed in specimens with different diameters, namely central, non-central, central edge, and central multiple pattern. Larger specimens exhibited more complicated failure patterns (central edge and central multiple failure patterns) and a greater percentage of shear failure fractures. Strain concentration and strain reversal were observed, respectively, in mineral—inclusion-rich regions and pre-existing discontinuities regions. This possibly contributed to fracture initiation, propagation, and coalescence. Fractures tended to grow along with the interface of mineral inclusion and coal matrix, and they could have propagated into and connect the pre-existing discontinuities. The greater volume of microstructure in larger specimens resulted in fractures that were more complex and may have increased the number of shear failure cracks and led to failure modes that were more complicated.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the major scientific and technological innovation project in Shandong Province (Nos. 2019SDZY02, 2019SDZY01), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51874312, 51861145403), Yue Qi Distinguished Scholar Project of China University of Mining & Technology (Beijing).

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  1. School of Energy and Mining Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, 100083, China

    Honghua Song & Yixin Zhao

  2. School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, 100083, China

    Yaodong Jiang

  3. State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, 100083, China

    Yixin Zhao & Yaodong Jiang

  4. Energy and Mineral Engineering, G3 Center, EMS Energy Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Jiehao Wang

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  1. Honghua Song
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Correspondence to Yixin Zhao.

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Song, H., Zhao, Y., Wang, J. et al. Experimental Investigation of Microstructure-Related Scale Effect on Tensile Failure of Coal. Nat Resour Res 30, 1495–1510 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-020-09776-3

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