Abstract
The fracture of rock is assumed to arise from propagation of a blunt crack band with continuously distributed (smeared) microcracks or continuous cracks. This approach, justified by material heterogeneity, is convenient for finite element analysis, and allows analyzing fracture on the basis of triaxial stress‐strain relations which cover the strain‐softening behavior. A simple compliance formulation is derived for this purpose. The practical form of the theory involves two independent material parameters, the fracture energy and the tensile strength. The width of the crack band front is considered as a fixed material property and can be taken as roughly five‐times the grain size of rock. The theory is shown to be capable of satisfactorily representing the test data available in the literature. In particular, good fits are demonstrated for the measured maximum loads, as well as for the measured resistance curves (R‐curves). Statistical analysis of the deviations from the test data is also presented.
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
