particle flow modeling for the crack growth analysis of non-persistent cracks

• Published in: Strength of materials Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 371 - 383
• Main Authors: Wang, Q., Sun, L. J., Wang, D. C., Fu, J. W., Guo, C. L., Haeri, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-03-2023; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Algorithms; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Classical Mechanics; Crack propagation; Crack tips; Cracks; Discrete element method; Failure mechanisms; Inclination angle; Materials Science; Numerical models; Solid Mechanics; echelon joint; compressive test; PFC2D
• ISSN: 0039-2316; 1573-9325
• DOI: 10.1007/s11223-023-00531-6

The cracks’ coalescence mechanism of three non-persistent joints in a rock sample was investigated under uniaxial compressive loading, considering the effects of crack lengths and their dip angles. The required numerical models were established based on the algorithms of the discrete element method. The effects of different crack lengths of 1.5, 3, and 4.5 cm with various crack inclination angles of 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90° were considered. It has been shown that the cracks’ lengths and inclination angles affect the mechanism of failure and the pattern of cracks’ extensions and their coalescence schemes. The tensile cracks were produced within the specimen and at the pre-existing crack tips due to the applied uniaxial compression that caused the crack propagation and coalescence in the modeled sample.