Abstract
A numerical analysis is presented which predicts the fracture behavior of granite under high confining pressures. The numerical simulation uses a modified boundary element method, and incorporates the tension-softening model developed for characterizing the growth of the fracture process zone in rock.Fracture toughness tests of granite have been conducted under confining pressures of 15.68 MPa and 26.46 MPa using compact tension specimens which were jacketed with urethane coating to eliminate the pore pressure effect.It is demonstrated that the numerical method developed in this investigation can well simulate the experimentally obtained load-displacement records under a wide range of confining pressure from a knowledge of the tension-softening law. Based on the result the tension-softening law is found to be independent material property. Furthermore, source mechanism for the pressure sensitive fractures of the granite is discussed by exaamining the growth behavior of the fracture process zone simulated using the numerical method.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
