Abstract
Abstract Brittle fracture growth proceeds through unique stages, each marked by distinct fractographic features that can only develop during Mode I loading at the propagating crack tip. Fractographic features in any substance can be interpreted in terms of the location of the failure origin, as well as changes in propagation velocities, stress directions and stress magnitudes at the crack tip during failure. Joints in granular pervious rock, however, do not contain fractographic features, commonly formed in glass, that develop at unstable propagation rates under the influence of appreciable amounts of stored strain energy. Yet, features that develop at lower stable rates of propagation are present on fractures in glass and rock implying that the absence of certain fractographic features provides useful information. Simple laboratory experiments, primarily on glass, are discussed to provide geologists an opportunity to recognize and qualitatively interpret fractographic features diagnostic of brittle failure. The exercises demonstrate the changing propagation dynamics that control the morphological evolution of artificially-induced fractures and natural joints in rock.
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