Influence of flaw inclination angle and loading condition on crack initiation and propagation

With reference to the experimental observation of crack initiation and propagation from pre-existing flaws in rock specimens under compression, the influences of pre-existing flaw inclination angle on the cracking processes were analyzed by means of finite element method (FEM) and non-linear dynamics method. FEM analysis on the stress field distribution induced by the presence of a pre-existing flaw provided better understanding for the influence of flaw inclination angle on the initiation position and initiation angle of the potential cracks. Numerical analysis based on the non-linear dynamics method was performed to simulate the cracking processes. The resultant crack types, crack initiation sequences and the overall crack pattern were different under different loading conditions. Under a relatively low loading rate or a small magnitude of maximum loading pressure, tensile cracks would tend to initiate prior to shear cracks. In contrast, under a relatively high loading rate and a large magnitude of maximum loading pressure, shear cracks would tend to initiate prior to tensile cracks instead.