Abstract
Interaction between multiple cracks in rock mass makes the propagation process more different than that of a single crack. In the paper, the criteria of maximum circumferential shear stress was proposed to describe the crack branching and the rock bridge fracture between multiple cracks in experiment. Based on the theory of fracture mechanics, the process of multi-cracks propagation and connection was traced by element-free methods (EFM). The crack branching in experiment was simulated including the wing cracks appeared in initial cracking stage and the shear cracks in crack propagation stage. By contrasted with the single-crack model, the interaction mechanism in multiple cracks and its effect on cracks propagation and connection was analyzed. The results show that rock bridge fracture can be caused by the propagation and connection of shear cracks instead of initial wing cracks.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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
