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Effects of the ratio of flaw size to specimen size on cracking behavior

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Abstract

To investigate the size effects on the cracking behavior of flaw-containing specimens under compressive loading, rectangular parallelepiped specimens containing a single centrally located flaw are numerically loaded using the bonded-particle model (BPM). Effects of the ratio of flaw size (length) to specimen size on cracking behavior are carefully studied. The numerical results show that increasing the ratio of flaw size to specimen size within a reasonable range (≤0.33) has no obvious effects on the first crack initiation stress, but decreases the uniaxial compressive strength. In specimens of a high flaw size to specimen size ratio, the newly generated cracks have longer extension length, which allows for easier crack identification as compared with that of the low ratio specimens. These phenomena are also observed in the physical test. Based on the present study, recommendations are given on choosing appropriate specimen widths in the BPM simulation. The failures of flaw-containing specimens as well as the outward bending effect of narrow specimens are also discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Academic Research Fund Tier 1 (RG19/10) and the Nanyang Technological University Start Up Grant (M4080115.030). The first author was also supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, under Contract/Grant No. 41302235. Many thanks are given to Ms Kangle Li for assisting the uniaxial compression tests, and Ms Vivian Wei Wen Teh, Mr Yi Cheng, Ms Eunice Shu Fen Tan and Ms WanLing Chong for preparing the gypsum specimens.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Xiao-Ping Zhang & Sijing Wang

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

    Louis Ngai Yuen Wong

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

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Xiao-Ping Zhang was formerly at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Block N1, Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.

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Zhang, XP., Wong, L.N.Y. & Wang, S. Effects of the ratio of flaw size to specimen size on cracking behavior. Bull Eng Geol Environ 74, 181–193 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0596-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0596-6

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