Brazilian Disc Research Articles

Theoretical and experimental study on the mechanical measurement of rock tensile fracture by ring radial compression

Conventional Brazilian disc splitting tests are hampered by stress concentration at the loading points, leading to test outcomes that do not truly represent the engineering failure strength of rocks. To enhance the accuracy of these tests, the specimen shape has progressed from the Brazilian disc to a circular ring. This study presents a theoretical analysis of the compression deformation process in circular rings, followed by platform-radial compression tests conducted on various types of rocks and metals, employing the digital speckle correlation method alongside an improved mechanical extensometer. The findings indicate that circular ring specimens failed under a combination of tensile and compressive stresses. The main crack originates along the loading direction on the inner wall of the ring and propagates outwards, resulting in the failure of the entire ring structure. While maximum tensile strain may serve as an indicator of rock failure, tensile stress alone should not be considered a definitive criterion for failure.

Increasing accuracy in predicting mode I fracture toughness of rock structures: a comparative analysis of the rock engineering system method

The investigation of crack initiation and expansion is vital for the stability of structures. The Mode I fracture toughness (KIc) of rocks is a key property used to predict crack propagation in tension and hydraulic fracturing. Various methods have been introduced to determine KIc, but results differ due to factors like sample dimensions, crack geometry, groove type, and loading conditions. The cracked chevron notched Brazilian disc (CCNBD) sample is commonly used in laboratory tests for its easy preparation. This study employs the rock engineering system (RES) technique to overcome the challenges of time-consuming and costly laboratory tests and the uncertainty in traditional methods (analytical, numerical, experimental, laboratory, regression). Using 88 CCNBD rock samples proposed by ISRM, input parameters include thickness of the disc specimen (B), uniaxial tensile strength (σt), initial crack length (α0), radius of the disc specimen (R), crack length (αB), and the length of the final crack (α1). The RES-based model used 70 data points (80% of the dataset) for development, and 18 data points (20%) for evaluation. Regression analysis compared the performance of the RES method, using statistical indicators such as squared correlation coefficient (R2), mean square error (MSE), and root mean square error (RMSE) to measure accuracy. The RES-based method outperformed other regression techniques, demonstrating significantly enhanced accuracy. This highlights the effectiveness and superior performance of the RES method in estimating fracture toughness, particularly for CCNBD samples, showcasing its potential as a robust analytical tool.

Fracturing Process Visualization of Cracked Chevron-Notched Brazilian Discal and Notch Semicircular Bend Rock Specimens and Comparative Analysis by Combined AE and DIC

Abstract A series of homogeneous granite specimens were prepared to investigate the Mode I fracture toughness (KIC) using the cracked chevron-notched Brazilian disk (CCNBD) method and semicircular three-point bending (NSCB) method recommended by the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM). A combination of acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) was utilized to monitor the crack propagation and analyze the fracture modes at various test stages. The results indicated that the average value of Mode I fracture toughness (KIC-) of the CCNBD specimen was approximately 10% higher than that of the NSCB specimen. The coefficient of variation in the NSCB test was small, which could provide more stable result of Mode I fracture roughness. Compared to the CCNBD test, the failure mode of NSCB specimens was mainly tensile damage with instantaneous damage during the experimental process. Furthermore, the failure process of the NSCB test was mainly controlled by tensile fractures, which exhibited instantaneous failure. The CCNBD test was first controlled by tensile fractures and then by shear fractures when the peak was reached, exhibiting progressive failure. The failure mode and the process may be the main factors controlling the difference between the results of the NSCB and CCNBD tests. This work helps select appropriate methods to measure the Mode I rock fracture toughness.

Fracture toughness of alkali-activated concrete subjected to aggressive environment

This study investigates the fracture toughness of alkali-activated granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS)-based geopolymer concrete (GPC), non-activated slag cement concrete, and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete in acidic, alkaline, and chloride solutions over six months. A total of 580 centrally straight-notched Brazilian disc (CSNBD) specimens were cast to assess pure mode-I (0°), pure mode-II (28.7°), and mixed-mode (15° and 45°) fractures under these conditions. Microstructural analyses (SEM) were performed to evaluate microstructural changes after six months of exposure. Results showed that GPC exhibited the lowest initial fracture toughness but the smallest reduction (7 %-11 % depending on the mode) across all environments, with slag cement concrete and OPC experiencing reductions of 11 %-14 % and 14 %-21 %, respectively, in acidic conditions. In alkaline environments, GPC showed a 3 %-6 % decrease in fracture toughness, while OPC and slag cement concrete showed reductions of 6 %-13 %. The gradient boosting regressor accurately predicted the failure load of CSNBD specimens, achieving an R² score of 0.948. Finally, SHAP sensitivity analysis identified concrete type, exposure time, and environment as critical input features, consistent with experimental results.

Particle flow simulation of crack propagation and penetration in Brazilian disc under uniaxial compression

The presence of rock mass fractures has always been a subject of study for the prevention and control of related natural disasters. To understand the effects of different dip angles and horizontal distances on crack development, numerical simulation experiments on Brazilian disks under uniaxial compression were con-ducted using the PFC2D particle flow program. A function module was utilized to monitor the expansion and quantity of cracks. The numerical simulation results under 0° conditions were in good agreement with the experimental results, validating the rationality of the numerical simulation. The simulation results indicate that: under single fracture conditions with different dip angles, samples with angles between 30° and 60° produced typical wing-shaped cracks. At 0°, cracks propagat-ed through the center of the fracture, while at 90°, cracks initiated from the tip of the fracture and propagated through the sample. The peak stress and the number of cracks in the samples first decreased and then increased with the increase of the dip angle, reaching a maximum at 90°. For samples with double fractures and varying horizontal distances, all produced wing-shaped cracks. Their peak stress and the number of cracks increased monotonically with the increase in distance, reaching a maximum at a distance of 30mm. The experimental results confirmed that the PFC2D program can effectively simulate the process of crack initiation and development, and the research findings provide a reference for correctly understanding the fracture mechanics of fractured rock masses.

Dynamic tensile characteristics of an artificial porous granite under various water saturation levels

Underground rocks are generally subjected to water erosion and dynamic disturbances. To exclude the effect of clay minerals on the water–rock interaction mechanism, clay-free artificial porous rock (APR) was used to investigate the coupling effect of water saturation and loading rate on tensile behavior. Dynamic Brazilian disc experiments were performed on APR with six water saturation levels (100, 80, 60, 40, 20, and 0%) using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) combined with a high-speed camera. The results indicated that the number of cracks in the APR specimens increased with the water saturation level during the dynamic damage process, with more radial cracks at the water saturation of 80–100%. The dynamic tensile strength (DTS) and dissipated energy density exhibited different change trends with water saturation levels under different loading rates and the rate dependence was most significant in the fully saturated state (100%). At lower loading rates, DTS initially decreased rapidly and then more slowly with increasing water saturation. At higher loading rates, DTS exhibited a ‘decrease then increase’ trend. Moreover, the water-affecting factor exhibited an overall decreasing trend with the loading rate and gradually converged to 1.0. These phenomena can be attributed to the interplay between the weakening and strengthening water-effect mechanisms based on the microstructure and water distribution in the APR specimens.

Experimental study on fracture properties of heat-treated granite in I-II mixed mode suffered from water and liquid nitrogen cooling methods

Hot dry rock (HDR) development is significant for solving energy problems and realizing energy conservation and emission reduction. Liquid nitrogen (LN2) fracturing and hydraulic fracturing can form cracks in the HDR and improve the efficiency of geothermal energy mining. Therefore, it is necessary to study the fracture characteristics of high-temperature granite under different cooling methods. In this study, the deterioration of the physical and mechanical properties of granite subjected to high-temperature treatment under water cooling and LN2 cooling was studied. Two I/II mixed modes (tensile orientation mode and shear orientation mode) and a pure II mode fracture characteristics of cracked straight-through Brazilian disc (CSTBD) specimens made of granite were explored. The displacement and strain fields of cracked granite specimens were measured by using a digital image correlation (DIC) method. The results show that when the temperature is 25℃, 200℃, and 400℃, the loading angle and cooling method have a great influence on the fracture mechanical characteristics of the granite. In general, the increase of loading angle and LN2 cooling will lead to the decrease of peak load. For example, at 200℃, β = 15°, the deterioration degree of water-cooled and LN2-cooled specimens is 13.77 % and 16.69 %, respectively. When β = 23°, it increases to 14.62 % and 19.91 %, respectively. At the same time, an interesting phenomenon was found in the study. At 400℃, due to the Leidenfrost effect, the peak load of LN2-cooled specimens was higher than that of water-cooled specimens, and the further increase of temperature weakened the effect. When the temperature is 600℃, the difference between the loading angle and the cooling method is weakened.

Study on the extension mechanism of fissures in expansive soil based on fracture mechanics test method

Expansive soil, characterized by widespread fissures, is a special type of soil prone to localized fissure propagation, leading to failure and instability, often resulting in landslides. Numerous studies have applied fracture mechanics theory to analyze soil failure along fissures, but no standardized testing method has been established. This paper reviews existing soil fracture toughness testing methods, designs an integrated system combining digital image correlation(DIC) technique and electrical resistance testing, and employs the Cracked Chevron-Notched Brazilian Disc (CCNBD) method to assess the fracture toughness of expansive soil. The deformation and internal damage accumulation processes of the specimens were monitored. The KΙc and KΙΙc of expansive soil were tested at moisture contents of 15 %, 20 %, and 25 % using specimens with three different crack length ratios (a/R). The role of water was explored by injecting water into the fissures. The results showed that KΙc of expansive soil ranged from 10 to 36 kPa·m0.5, with a linear negative correlation to moisture content and a proportional relationship to tensile strength, having a proportionality coefficient of 0.331. The KΙΙc ranged from 20 to 70 kPa·m0.5,and it is greater than KΙc under the same conditions. Based on the load, internal damage, strain, and fissure area during the tests, the failure process of expansive soil along fissures was divided into four stages: initial deformation stage(I), quasi-elastic deformation stage(II), fissure extension stage(III), and failure stage(IV). Water injection into the fissures reduced the soil's fracture toughness, with a more significant reduction as a/R increased and the failure showed progressive behavior. The CCNBD method, combined with DIC technique and electrical resistance testing, effectively measures the fracture toughness of soil, aiding in understanding the failure mechanism along fissures and providing a basis for preventing and controlling landslides and other hazards in expansive soils.

Research on the splitting tensile dynamic mechanics performance of post-high-temperature high-performance concrete

High-performance concrete (HPC) structures were affected by secondary hazards after a fire, research on its dynamic mechanics performance is vital for assessing post-disaster structural safety. Therefore, the mechanism which governs impact of coupling among high temperature, cooling mode and strain rate on the splitting tensile mechanics performance of HPC was delved; impact factors including five temperatures, two cooling modes and four strain rates were designed; digital image technology (DIC) and hydraulic servo instrument were adopted to investigate the splitting tensile mechanics performance of HPC with Brazilian disc. Failure mechanical parameters of HPC under varying operational conditions and full-field deformation parameters of the whole loading process were obtained. As indicated by research result, the splitting tensile strength of test specimens cooled naturally from 200 °C to 600 °C was higher than that of specimens cooled rapidly, while the splitting tensile strength under natural cooling from 800 ℃ decreased by 6 % compared with rapid cooling. At the same temperature, splitting tensile strength of HPC was gradually increased with the increase of strain rate, and Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF) was significantly increased, showing relatively high rate sensitivity. With increasing temperature, the increase in DIF for HPC declined somewhat. As revealed by the result of DIC analysis, at high temperature, damage was relatively mild at the development stage and entered the stage of abrupt change of strain field in a short time. With increasing strain rate, the overall damage duration of test specimen was significantly shortened, and cooling mode exerted no significant impact on the development of splitting tensile damage in HPC. The criterion for splitting tensile dynamic strength of post-high-temperature HPC was put forward on the basis of J criterion. Meanwhile, an analysis by backscattered electron (BSE) on microstructure of HPC revealed mechanism which governs the impact of high temperature and cooling mode on the splitting tensile dynamic mechanics performance of HPC. The research result serves as a theoretical basis for calculating and assessing the post-fire structural dynamic response of HPC.

Investigation on dynamic splitting mechanical properties of weakly cemented siltstone based on digital image correlation method and FracPaQ algorithm

Soft strata composed of weakly cemented rock are frequently subjected to dynamic loads in underground energy mining engineering, yet the dynamic mechanical properties of these materials remain insufficiently explored. In this study, dynamic splitting tests were conducted on Brazilian disc specimens of weakly cemented siltstone to assess their dynamic mechanical and failure characteristics. The findings revealed that both dynamic strength and dissipated energy increased under higher stress rates. A dynamic splitting strength model for weakly cemented siltstone was subsequently developed based on the incubation time criterion. Additionally, the digital image correlation technology was employed to analyze strain variations during the initiation of the main crack, and the quantitative analysis of the fragmentation process indicated that average opening rates increased with rising stress rates. The FracPaQ algorithm was also applied to further characterize fracture patterns under varying stress rates, demonstrating that the Gaussian function accurately represented the relationship between deflection angles and fracture trace lengths. These research outcomes can provide essential mechanical parameters and a theoretical foundation for the safety assessment of weakly cemented rock strata in coal mining.

On the importance of the cracking process description for dynamic crack initiation simulation

A dynamic implementation of the coupled criterion under quasi-static loading, based only on the mean velocity during crack initiation, is proposed. It relies on a simultaneous node release method. It consists of computing the dynamic incremental energy release rate by simultaneously opening a crack of a finite length during a given time increment rather than progressively opening smaller crack increments following a velocity profile as in the progressive node release method. Both methods result in significantly different kinetic energy variations as a function of the crack length, and thus different incremental energy release rates for large enough crack velocities, for which the kinetic energy magnitude is similar to the elastic strain energy magnitude. Both simultaneous node release method and progressive node release method can however be equivalently used for small enough crack velocities since similar incremental energy release rates are obtained with both methods. Inverse identification of fracture properties based on dynamic crack initiation at a hole in Brazilian disk specimens yields critical energy release rates in the same order of magnitude as the one obtained based on dynamic crack propagation modeling.

A new strain-based approach to investigate the size and geometry effects on fracture resistance of rocks

In this paper, a new strain-based criterion is suggested for assessing the effects of size and geometry of specimen on the fracture resistance of rocks under mixed-mode (I/II) loading. The new approach named the modified maximum tangential strain (MMTSN) criterion is based on the classical maximum tangential strain (MTSN) criterion, in which the first non-singular term (T) of Williams series expansion is considered in addition to the singular terms (K). Furthermore, to provide more coherence, the critical distance (rc) from the crack tip is defined according to a new strain-based failure model. Unlike similar strain-based fracture models available in the literature, the critical distance rc in the MMTSN criterion is assumed to be size-dependent and a semi-empirical formulation is utilized for describing this size-dependency. To assess the ability of MMTSN for considering the size and geometry effects, the experimental data existing in the literature for a number of cracked Brazilian disk (CBD) and semi-circular bend (SCB) specimens manufactured from Guiting limestone are taken into account. It is demonstrated that the MMTSN criterion can predict the experimental data very well by taking into consideration the size and geometry effects without needing to calculate the other higher order terms.

Reconsidering the Determination of the Tensile Strength of Orthotropic Rocks by Means of the Brazilian Disc Test

Reconsidering the Determination of the Tensile Strength of Orthotropic Rocks by Means of the Brazilian Disc Test

Experimental study on the effect of carbonate ions on ITZs of geopolymeric recycled concrete

In this study, carbonated recycled aggregates (CRA) were used in preparing geopolymeric recycled concrete (GRC). The influence of CRA with different carbonation durations on the compressive strength of GRC was studied, and the physical properties of CRA were tested. Bi-material Brazilian disc (BBD) was explored to simulate interfacial transition zones (ITZ). According to the test results, CRA was found to introduce quantities of carbonate ions, causing a similar adverse effect of efflorescence in GRC. Therefore, the compressive strength decreased in the first 24 h of carbonation. After 96 h carbonation, the reduction in compressive strength was insignificant. When using CRA to prepare GRC, it would be advisable to carbonate recycled aggregates for longer than 96 h. The results of the splitting tensile tests and nanoindentation test of BBD revealed that the carbonate ions introduced by carbonation treatment could slightly weaken the bonding properties of ITZ in GRC.

Effects of temperature on pure mode-I and mode-Ⅱ fracture behaviors and acoustic emission characteristics of granite using a grain-based model

To investigate the effects of thermally induced microcracks on the pure mode-I and mode-Ⅱ fracture behaviors of the granite, a Grain-based model (GBM) was used to build cracked straight-through Brazilian disc (CSTBD) granite specimens. Splitting tests were conducted on the CSTBD specimens treated at various temperatures under pure mode-I and mode-Ⅱ loadings, and the moment tensor algorithm was utilized to record the acoustic emission (AE) events generated by fracture during loading. The results indicate that thermally induced microcracks predominantly consist of intergranular and intragranular tensile cracks, with quartz phase transition significantly increasing the number of intragranular tensile cracks. With the increase in heat-treatment temperature, thermally induced microcracks gradually guide the initiation direction of load-induced cracks, making the crack propagation path more tortuous. The AE characteristics reveal that the fracture behavior of the CSTBD specimen heat-treated at 600 ℃ transitions from brittle to ductile. Furthermore, thermally induced microcracks can constrain the propagation distance of load-induced cracks, increasing the small-scale AE events and the b-value, thereby reducing the AE magnitude during failure.

Study on the dynamic fracture behavior of anisotropic CCNBD shale specimens under different impact angles

Drilling and fracturing are the key technologies for shale gas extraction, while most of the loads generated during rock drilling or fracturing are dynamic. In this study, dynamic impact experiments were conducted on the cracked chevron-notched Brazilian disc shale specimens with different chevron-notched crack (CNC) inclinations (β) and layer inclinations (α) by the split Hopkinson pressure bar. The results show that the dynamic peak load and dissipated energy increases with the increase of β, α, and strain rate, but their changing trends are different. The generation and expansion of cracks during the specimen failure process are mainly affected by β. As β increases, the failure type of the specimen can be divided into pure mode I fracture, mode I-II mixed fracture, pure mode II fracture, mixed tension-shear failure, and Brazilian splitting failure. The increase in strain rate will lead to a decrease in the time for crack initiation and propagation as well as an increase in secondary cracks. In addition, the mode I fracture toughness (KⅠC) and mode II fracture toughness (KⅡC) both grow with the increase of α and strain rate. The KⅡC predicted by the generalized maximum tangential stress criterion (GMST) exhibits more accurate.

Study on the mixed fracture characteristics of concrete-rock Brazilian disks with different fracture angles

The fracture characteristics of cracked straight-through Brazilian discs for concrete-rock composites (CSTBD-CRC) with different fracture inclination angles (Mode I-II) were investigated to evaluate the stability of concrete reinforcement engineering. Acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) techniques were employed to study crack propagation and fracture modes in CSTBD-CRC Brazil splitting tests, as well as the entropy evolution of AE and DIC. Additionally, 3D scanning technology and fractal theory were utilized to investigate the effect of the fracture mode on the fracture surface morphology. The results indicate that both the fracture energy and peak load of the CSTBD-CRC increase with increasing fracture inclination angle. Moreover, the section fractal dimensions of 0°, 10°, 15° and 25° samples are 2.01879, 2.01528, 2.01186, and 2.01072. Shear fracture mode increases as the dip angle increases and the fracture surface morphology decreases in fractal dimension. Notably, sharp increases in entropy values for both AE and DIC occurred at peak load, suggesting their use as failure criteria for CSTBD-CRC specimens. Furthermore, cracks were found to initiate at the tips of preexisting cracks within the concrete. The displacement in the x direction undergoes the most significant changes on both sides of the crack during crack growth, while the strain in the x direction experiences its greatest variations at the crack location.

Assessment of fracture toughness in fibrous concrete via Brazilian test: Experimental study with low-clinker cementitious binder

As the predominant and cost-effective material in the construction industry, concrete is susceptible to tension weaknesses, leading to significant flaws such as cracking and brittle fracturing. Recent advancements in fibrous concrete have emerged as a solution to mitigate these issues. Incorporating steel fibers in concrete has emerged as a promising solution to improve crack resistance and structural integrity. This study focuses on developing eco-friendly concrete using a low-clinker cementitious binder and short steel fibers to enhance fracture toughness and mitigate the environmental impact by effectively utilizing lime sludge. Concrete specimens were prepared with three binder types: treated lime sludge (TLS) at 15 % and 30 % and calcined clay (CC) at 15 % and 30 %, replacing conventional clinker. Short steel fibers were added at 1.5 % by volume to enhance mechanical properties. Fracture toughness was evaluated using notched Brazilian disc specimens, assessing mode I, II, and mixed-mode (I/II) fracture at multiple notch orientations (β = 0°, 15°, 28.83°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°). Microstructural analysis during strength development was performed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The findings revealed that specimens containing 15 % TLS, 30 % CC, and 1.5 % steel fibers exhibited the highest fracture toughness. Mode II fracture toughness exceeded mode I, indicating improved resistance to crack propagation. The addition of fibers to the specimens under mode II demonstrated improved fracture toughness, ranging from 0.44 to 0.53 MPa·m^1/2 compared to the corresponding non-fibrous specimens. The fibrous specimens showed significantly higher ultimate loads at β = 90° compared to β = 0°, indicating superior crack resistance and structural integrity under perpendicular loading conditions. The Brazilian disc specimens demonstrated variability in fracture toughness across different loading orientations, highlighting their suitability for mixed-mode fracture assessment.

The strength of outgassed porous dust aggregates

Context. Outgassing of dust-ice aggregates plays an important role on the surfaces of cometary nuclei as well as for snow-line crossings in protoplanetary disks. Aims. To assess the stability of desiccated dust aggregates, we measured the tensile strength of silica dust samples over a wide range of volume filling factors. Methods. We produced these silica dust samples over a wide range of volume filling factors by gently evaporating dust-ice mixtures with various dust-to-ice mass ratios under vacuum conditions. The tensile strengths of these samples were then measured using the standardized Brazilian disk test. Experiments were performed in a vacuum and at room temperature but were also compared to measurements in air at room temperature and in a vacuum at elevated temperatures. Results. For spherical amorphous silica dust, we find no influence of the environmental conditions (air, vacuum, or heating) on the measured tensile strength. However, for angular crystalline silica dust we see a strong increase in tensile strength in a vacuum compared to air and an even higher increase when the samples are heated in a vacuum. For the spherical silica dust samples, we find a characteristic increase in the tensile strength with decreasing particle size. The tensile strength of samples with identical particle sizes increases strongly with an increasing volume filling factor. Extrapolation of our data to a volume filling factor of 0.1 (90% porosity) shows that a tensile strength as low as 1 Pa can be reached. Conclusions. Numerical simulations show that evaporating water ice in the subsurface layers of comets can reach gas pressures of ~1 Pa. Thus, a desiccated dust layer with a 10% volume filling factor should be detachable and released into the cometary coma. Using a relation between the tensile strength and the critical fragmentation energy, we predict the break-up speed of dust aggregates in mutual collisions as a function of the volume filling factor. Furthermore, we discuss the susceptibility of the aggregates to ram pressure. These values are relevant for protoplanetary disk research and for meteoroids entering planetary atmospheres.

Unraveling the Stray Current-Induced Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) Effect on Sulfate Corrosion in Concrete

The rail transit in sulfate-rich areas faces the combined effects of stray current and salt corrosion; however, the sulfate ion transport and concrete degradation mechanisms under such conditions are still unclear. To address this issue, novel sulfate transport and mesoscale splitting tests were designed, with a focus on considering the differences between the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and cement matrix. Under the influence of stray current, the ITZ played a pivotal role in regulating the transport and mechanical failure processes of sulfate attack, while the tortuous and blocking effects of aggregates almost disappeared. This phenomenon was termed the “stray current-induced ITZ effect.” The experimental data revealed that the difference in sulfate ion transport attributed to the ITZ ranged from 1.90 to 2.31 times, while the difference in splitting strength ranged from 1.56 to 1.64 times. Through the real-time synchronization of splitting experiments and microsecond-responsive particle image velocimetry (PIV) technology, the mechanical properties were exposed to the consequences of the stray current-induced ITZ effect. The number of splitting cracks in the concrete increased, rather than along the central axis, which was significantly different from the conditions without stray current and the ideal Brazilian disk test. Furthermore, a sulfate ion mass transfer model that incorporates reactivity and electrodiffusion was meticulously constructed. The embedded finite element calculation exhibited excellent agreement with the experimental results, indicating its reliability and accuracy. Additionally, the stress field was determined utilizing analytical methods, and the mechanism underlying crack propagation was successfully obtained. Compared to the cement matrix, a stray current led to more sulfates, more microstructure degradation, and greater increases in thickness and porosity in the ITZ, which was considered to be the essence of the stray current-induced ITZ effect.