Splitting failure in brittle rocks containing pre-existing flaws under uniaxial compression

Splitting failure of rock specimen containing pre-existing crack-like flaws under compression is numerically investigated using Rock Failure Process Analysis (RFPA2D). Crack growth from single, triple and multi-crack-like flaws contained in numerical specimens are studied. The analysis of parameters, such as angle and length of the flaws, specimen width and the arrangement of flaw locations, is conducted to examine its influence on the growth and coalescence behaviour. Flaw length, flaw location and stress interaction between the nearby flaws are found to be important factors affecting the behaviour of crack initiation, propagation and coalescence.