Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2025

Stress Distribution During Cold Compression of Rocks and Mineral Aggregates Using Synchrotron-based X-Ray Diffraction
Published on: May 20, 2018
Qualitative and Quantitative Investigations on the Failure Effect of Critical Fissures in Rock Specimens under Plane
Jiaqi Wen1,2, Lei Tang1,2, Shenghang Zhang1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing 210029, China.
Abstract:
To investigate the failure effects of critical fissures in rock specimens subjected to plane strain compression (PSC), five types of internal fissures in rock specimens were designed and twelve PSC tests were conducted for two lithologies based on the discrete element method (DEM). The results were analyzed in terms of the fracture mode, data characteristics, and crack evolution. The results indicated the following. (1) The rock samples with a critical fissure under PSC showed a weak face shear fracture mode, which was influenced by lithology, fissure angle, and fissure surface direction. (2) There were four critical expansion points (CEPs) of axial stress of the rocks under PSC, which were the stage signs of rock materials from local damage to complete fracture. The rock-bearing capacity index (RockBCI) was further proposed. (3) The bearing capacity of rock samples with horizontal fissures, fissures whose angles coincided with the fracture surface, and fissures whose surface was perpendicular to the lateral confine direction was the worst; their BCI2 values were found to be 80.6%, 70.8%, and 56.9% of the rock samples without any fissures, respectively. The delayed fracture situation under PSC was identified and analyzed. (4) The crack evolution followed the unified law of localization, and the fissures in the rocks changed the mode of crack development and the path of the deepening and connecting of crack clusters, as well as affecting the time process from damage to collapse. This research innovatively investigated the behavior characteristics of rock samples with a fissure under PSC, and it qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the bearing capacity of rock mass from local damage to fracture.
Related Concept Videos
Behavior of Concrete Under Compressive Load
As the concrete specimen fractures under...
Stress-Strain Diagram - Brittle Materials
Yield Criteria for Ductile Materials under Plane Stress
The Maximum Shearing Stress Criterion, also known as...
Stress-Strain Diagram - Ductile Materials
Microcracking in Concrete
Tensile Strength Considerations of Concrete
The dimensions and shape of a concrete specimen...

