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Crack Initiation, Propagation and Coalescence in Rock-Like Material Containing Two Flaws: a Numerical Study Based on Bonded-Particle Model Approach

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Abstract

Cracking and coalescence behavior in a rectangular rock-like specimen containing two parallel (stepped and coplanar) pre-existing open flaws under uniaxial compression load has been numerically studied by a parallel bonded-particle model, which is a type of bonded-particle model. Crack initiation and propagation from two flaws replicate most of the phenomena observed in prior physical experiments, such as the type (tensile/shear) and the initiation stress of the first crack, as well as the coalescence pattern. Eight crack coalescence categories representing different crack types and trajectories are identified. New coalescence categories namely “New 1” and “New 2”, which are first observed in the present simulation, are incorporated into categories 3 and 4, and category 5 previously proposed by the MIT Rock Mechanics Research Group, respectively. The flaw inclination angle (β), the ligament length (L) (spacing between two flaws) and the bridging angle (α) (inclination of a line linking up the inner flaw tips, between two flaws) have different effects on the coalescence patterns, coalescence stresses (before, at or post the peak stress) as well as peak strength of specimens. Some insights on the coalescence processes, such as the initiation of cracks in the intact part of specimens at a distance away from the flaw tips, and coalescence due to the development and linkage of a number of steeply inclined to vertical macro-tensile cracks are revealed by the present numerical study.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Professor Herbert Einstein and the reviewers for the valuable comments and helpful suggestions during the paper review process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Block N1, Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore, Singapore

    Xiao-Ping Zhang & Louis Ngai Yuen Wong

  2. Key Laboratory of Engineering Geomechanics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

    Xiao-Ping Zhang

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  1. Xiao-Ping Zhang
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Correspondence to Louis Ngai Yuen Wong.

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Zhang, XP., Wong, L.N.Y. Crack Initiation, Propagation and Coalescence in Rock-Like Material Containing Two Flaws: a Numerical Study Based on Bonded-Particle Model Approach. Rock Mech Rock Eng 46, 1001–1021 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-012-0323-1

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