Mechanism Analysis of Rock Failure Process under High-Voltage Electropulse: Analytical Solution and Simulation

Area of Science:

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• High-voltage pulse technology offers potential for efficient rock breaking in geotechnical applications.
• Understanding the rock failure mechanism under electropulse is crucial for optimizing this technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and analyze the mechanism of rock failure induced by high-voltage electropulses.
• To evaluate and enhance the efficiency of high-voltage pulse technology in geotechnical engineering.

Main Methods:

• Developed analytical and numerical models for rock failure under electropulse, incorporating equivalent circuits and shock wave dynamics.
• Utilized granite as a model material to predict mechanical behavior and analyze electropulse-induced damage.
• Simulated rock failure using a Marx generator with specific voltage and capacitance parameters.

Main Results:

• Observed rock degradation initiating around 40 µs after discharge, with peak current at 50 µs and peak shock wave pressure at 70 µs.
• Identified dense short crack formation and dominant crack growth up to 20 cm, with a predicted crack width of 1.6 mm.
• Found that while granite's tensile strength heterogeneity affects crack length distribution, it insignificantly impacts crack growth rate and total cracked area.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a robust understanding of the rock failure mechanism under high-voltage electropulses.
• Numerical simulations and analytical studies effectively support the findings on electropulse-induced rock failure.
• The research contributes to improving the efficiency of high-voltage pulse technology in applications like well drilling and tunneling.