Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties and Cracking Behavior of Pre-cracked Sandstone Specimens Under Uniaxial Compression

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Indian Geotechnical Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study analyzes the mechanical behavior, cracking modes, crack initiation stress, initiated crack types and crack coalescence process for the sandstone specimens containing artificial flaws with different fissure angle from 0° to 90° (in 15° intervals) and different ligament length from 3 to 23 mm (in 5 mm intervals) under uniaxial compression. The flaw geometry is a combination of a single hole and an inclined fissure underneath, which is different from that reported in the previous studies. Basically, mechanical parameters of the specimens containing combined flaws are lower than those for the intact specimens, and the effect of fissure angle and ligament length on mechanical parameters for the flawed specimens is analyzed based on the axial stress–strain curves. Peak strength, peak axial strain, elastic modulus and the secant Young’s modulus all display a similar variation trend with the increasing fissure angle, i.e. first decreases in the range 0°–45° and then keeps basically constant in the range 45°–75° before presents an increase trend in the range 75°–90°. Variation trends of mechanical parameters for the flawed specimens with increasing ligament length are simple, decreasing gradually in the range 3–18 mm before showing an increasing trend in the range 18–23 mm. Crack initiation stress for the flawed specimens, which also depends on the fissure angle and ligament length, is analyzed. Using a high speed camera, initiated crack types and crack coalescence modes for the flawed specimens are observed. With a small fissure angle, the cracking modes are generally characterized by cracks initiated from the hole-wall and evolved to the specimen boundary. For flawed specimens with a larger fissure angle or ligament length, cracks initiated from both the hole-wall and fissure tips generate the main failure surfaces. In addition, relation between the axial stress–strain curve and real-time crack coalescence process for the flawed specimens during the entire deformation process is also captured.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Janeiro RP, Einstein HH (2010) Experimental study of the cracking behavior of specimens containing inclusions (under uniaxial compression). Int J Fract 164(1):83–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Zhang XP, Wong LNY (2012) Cracking processes in rock-like material containing a single flaw under uniaxial compression: a numerical study based on parallel bonded-particle model approach. Rock Mech Rock Eng 45(5):711–737

    Google Scholar 

  3. Haeri H, Shahriar K, FatehiMarji M et al (2014) On the crack propagation analysis of rock like Brazilian disc specimens containing cracks under compressive line loading. Latin Am J Solids Struct 11(8):1400–1416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Prudencio M, Van Sint Jan M (2007) Strength and failure modes of rock mass models with non-persistent joints. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 44(6):890–902

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Zhao XD, Zhang HX, Zhu WC (2014) Fracture evolution around pre-existing cylindrical cavities in brittle rocks under uniaxial compression. Trans Nonferr Met Soc China 24(3):806–815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Yin P, Wong RHC, Chau KT (2014) Coalescence of two parallel pre-existing surface cracks in granite. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 68:66–84

    Google Scholar 

  7. Feng XT, Ding WX, Zhang DX (2009) Multi-crack interaction in limestone subject to stress and flow of chemical solutions. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 46(1):159–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Wong LNY, Einstein HH (2009) Crack coalescence in molded gypsum and Carrara marble: part 1. macroscopic observations and interpretation. Rock Mech Rock Eng 42(3):475–511

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Yang SQ, Jing HW (2011) Strength failure and crack coalescence behavior of brittle sandstone samples containing a single fissure under uniaxial compression. Int J Fract 168(2):227–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Yin Q, Jing HW, Ma GW (2015) Experimental study on mechanical properties of sandstone specimens containing a single hole after high-temperature exposure. Geotech Lett 5:43–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Wong RHC, Chau KT, Tang CA et al (2001) Analysis of crack coalescence in rock-like materials containing three flaws-part I: experimental approach. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 38(7):909–924

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Haeri H, Shahriar K, FatehiMarji M et al (2014) Cracks coalescence mechanism and cracks propagation paths in rock-like specimens containing pre-existing random cracks under compression. J Cent South Univ 21(6):2404–2414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Park CH, Bobet A (2010) Crack initiation, propagation and coalescence from frictional flaws in uniaxial compression. Eng Fract Mech 77(14):2727–2748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Lee H, Jeon S (2011) An experimental and numerical study of fracture coalescence in pre-cracked specimens under uniaxial compression. Int J Solids Struct 48(6):979–999

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  15. Fairhurst CE, Hudson JA (1999) Draft ISRM suggested method for the complete stress-strain curve for intact rock in uniaxial compression. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 36(3):279–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Yang SQ, Jing HW (2011) Strength failure and crack coalescence behavior of brittle sandstone samples containing a single fissure under uniaxial compression. Int J Fract 168(2):227–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Martin CD (1997) Seventeenth Canadian Geotechnical Colloquium: The effect of cohesion loss and stress path on brittle rock strength. Can Geotech J 34(5):698–725

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Cai M, Kaiser PK, Tasaka Y et al (2004) Generalized crack initiation and crack damage stress thresholds of brittle rock masses near underground excavations. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41(5):833–847

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Wang Y, Li X, Wu YF et al (2014) Research on relationship between crack initiation stress level and brittleness indices for brittle rocks. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 33(2):264–275 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Yang SQ (2011) Crack coalescence behavior of brittle sandstone samples containing two coplanar fissures in the process of deformation failure. Eng Fract Mech 78(17):3059–3081

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The financial supports from the State Key Development Program for Basic Research of China (No. 2013CB036003), the Chinese Natural Science Foundation (No. 51374198), the Annual College Graduate Research and Innovation Projects of Jiangsu Province (KYLX15_1402) and the China Scholarship Council (No. 201406420020) are gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    Qian Yin, Hong-Wen Jing & Tan-Tan Zhu

  2. School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, 6009, Australia

    Qian Yin

Authors
  1. Qian Yin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hong-Wen Jing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tan-Tan Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Qian Yin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yin, Q., Jing, HW. & Zhu, TT. Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties and Cracking Behavior of Pre-cracked Sandstone Specimens Under Uniaxial Compression. Indian Geotech J 47, 265–279 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-016-0210-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-016-0210-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation