Modeling the rock frost cracking processes using an improved ice – Stress – Damage coupling method

Abstract

Simulations of freezing-thawing cycles induced crack propagation in rock media is one of the most popular but hard issues to be solved in rock mechanics, the core of which is the treatment of water–ice phase change. In our work, the heat conduction equations are programmed into SPH, which can reach the goal of modelling the temperature – stress coupling problems under the SPH framework; A fracture mark ξ is introduced, and the kernel function of SPH is then re-written, thus realizing the fracture modelling of rock media; Numerical treatments of water − ice phase change have also been developed, realizing the deterioration simulations of rock masses under freezing-thawing cycles. The validity is demonstrated by three numerical examples including: 1) Frost cracking simulation of the model with random defects; 2) Frost cracking simulation of the model with two pre-existing cracks; 3) Frost cracking simulation of the model with one single crack. Finally, the progressive failure processes of a rock slope under freezing-thawing cycles are simulated, which shows that the improved SPH method can simulate the rock mechanics problems in cold regions. The research results will help understanding the failure mechanisms of frost cracking in rock masses, meanwhile, it can also promote the applications of SPH into rock failure simulations in cold regions.