Determination of shapes and sizes of radial cracks formed by blasthole charges and hydraulic fracturing in a layered rock mass

Abstract

The features are investigated and a design diagram is developed for radial cracks propagation in a layered rock mass during blasting of borehole charges and hydraulic fracturing. To calculate the stress state of an elastic rock mass with cracks, we used the boundary element method in a three-dimensional formulation. As a result of these calculations, the influence of the strength properties of rock mass layers on the shape of radial cracks and their area was determined.