Three-dimensional elastic analysis of cracks with the g2 constant displacement discontinuity method

A new triangular element was created that could be used for the improvement of the accuracy of the constant displacement discontinuity method (CDDM). This element is characterized by three degrees of freedom in the three-dimensional space as in the classical CDDM approach. The element is based on strain gradient elasticity theory that accounts for the difference of the average value of stress with the local stress at surfaces with large curvature (eg, crack borders, corners, and notches) in elastic bodies. The new element is characterized by a strain gradient term in addition to the two Lamè constants that gives a more representative value of the stresses at the centroid of crack edge elements compared with the classical elasticity solution and thus an accurate stress intensity factor. In this approach, special crack border elements with square-root radius dependent displacements and numerical integrations are avoided. The extra strain gradient term is calibrated once only on the analytical solution for the penny-shaped crack. In a verification stage, the accuracy of the computational algorithm for the elliptic and rectangular crack problems is demonstrated. Then, the algorithm, which also accounts for crack closure in compression, is applied for the modeling of crack propagation and crack interaction in uniaxial tension and compression loading. It is illustrated that the numerical predictions are in accordance with experimental evidence pertaining to uniaxial compression of transparent precracked specimens in the lab.     

Cracking risk of partially saturated porous media—Part I: Microporoelasticity model

Drying of deformable porous media results in their shrinkage, and it may cause cracking provided that shrinkage deformations are hindered by kinematic constraints. This is the motivation to develop a thermodynamics‐based microporoelasticity model for the assessment of cracking risk in partially saturated porous geomaterials. The study refers to 3D representative volume elements of porous media, including a two‐scale double‐porosity material with a pore network comprising (at the mesoscale) 3D mesocracks in the form of oblate spheroids, and (at the microscale) spherical micropores of different sizes. Surface tensions prevailing in all interfaces between solid, liquid, and gaseous matters are taken into account. To establish a thermodynamics‐based crack propagation criterion for a two‐scale double‐porosity material, the potential energy of the solid is derived, accounting—in particular—for mesocrack geometry changes (main original contribution) and for effective micropore pressures, which depend (due to surface tensions) on the pore radius. Differentiating the potential energy with respect to crack density parameter yields the thermodynamical driving force for crack propagation, which is shown to be governed by an effective macrostrain. It is found that drying‐related stresses in partially saturated mesocracks reduce the cracking risk. The drying‐related effective underpressures in spherical micropores, in turn, result in a tensile eigenstress of the matrix in which the mesocracks are embedded. This way, micropores increase the mesocracking risk. Model application to the assessment of cracking risk during drying of argillite is the topic of the companion paper (Part II). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

模拟岩石压剪状态下主次裂纹萌生开裂的扩展有限元法

压剪应力状态下,岩石类材料中常见两类裂纹：翼型张拉裂纹和次生压剪裂纹。基于扩展有限元方法（XFEM）,提出了模拟压剪裂纹面作用机制的扩展有限元位移增强方案,并给出了扩展有限元法分叉裂纹处理方法,分别用最大周向拉应力准则和Mohr-Coulomb准则判断张拉裂纹和压剪裂纹的萌生和扩展。基于Matlab平台编写了数值计算程序Betaxfem 2D,通过两个算例对所提方案进行了验证,所得结果与有限元法（FEM）计算结果吻合很好。模拟了单轴压缩载荷下含预制闭合裂纹试件的裂纹分叉、扩展过程,与试验结果的对比表明,所提方案可以模拟和预测岩石类材料张拉、压剪交互分叉裂纹的萌生和扩展行为。     

岩石I型裂纹定向扩展规律试验研究

为精准获得岩石I型裂纹扩展演化全过程,采用一种简易裂纹定向扩展装置开展了不同岩性试样裂纹扩展试验研究,借助声发射及数字散斑技术对裂纹扩展全过程进行了监测,建立了裂纹定向扩展力学模型,分析了裂纹扩展过程中声发射及变形场的演化规律,提出了评价岩石I型裂纹扩展难易程度的能量指标CE,探讨了I型裂纹定向起裂扩展机制。结果表明：该简易裂纹定向扩展装置能够有效实现I型裂纹沿预定方向稳定扩展,其起裂角均小于10º,同时通过简化力学模型计算得到白砂岩、灰砂岩的裂纹扩展峰值强度与巴西劈裂抗拉强度相比偏差分别为22.76%、7.53%;根据变形场演化规律,可将裂纹扩展分为微裂隙发育（散斑变形场分区不明显）、主控裂纹孕育（散斑变形场出现分区现象）和主控裂纹扩展3个阶段;声发射演化过程可分为平静期、缓增期、急增期和降低期4个阶段,由于灰砂岩相较于白砂岩质地更致密、更坚硬,导致其声发射平静期长,而后3个阶段持续时间短;将载荷−位移曲线峰前与峰后的面积之比定义为评价岩石I型裂纹扩展难易程度的能量指标CE,计算得到灰砂岩、白砂岩的CE分别为13～16、1～2,表明CE可有效评价岩石I型裂纹扩展难易程度;岩石I型裂纹起裂扩展机制可概况为：在加载峰值前裂隙尖端受最大拉应力作用,存储的弹性能快速增加、耗散能缓慢增加,但在加载峰值后裂隙尖端存储弹性能超过其储能极限迅速释放,此时输入能大部分转化为耗散能促进主控裂纹快速扩展。后续将对裂纹定向扩展试验装置进一步优化改进,以期为裂纹扩展机制、岩石破坏前兆信息、裂纹止裂原理等研究提供一种新方法,同时为工程现场煤岩层定向爆破、压裂、止裂等相关技术优化提供理论指导。     

Implementation of a coupled plastic damage distinct lattice spring model for dynamic crack propagation in geomaterials

This paper studies dynamic crack propagation by employing the distinct lattice spring model (DLSM) and 3‐dimensional (3D) printing technique. A damage‐plasticity model was developed and implemented in a 2D DLSM. Applicability of the damage‐plasticity DLSM was verified against analytical elastic solutions and experimental results for crack propagation. As a physical analogy, dynamic fracturing tests were conducted on 3D printed specimens using the split Hopkinson pressure bar. The dynamic stress intensity factors were recorded, and crack paths were captured by a high‐speed camera. A parametric study was conducted to find the influences of the parameters on cracking behaviors, including initial and peak fracture toughness, crack speed, and crack patterns. Finally, selection of parameters for the damage‐plasticity model was determined through the comparison of numerical predictions and the experimentally observed cracking features.     

双向压缩条件下闭合裂隙岩体断裂破坏机制及渗透压环境判定准则

在研究双向压缩条件下压剪复合型裂纹应力分布特征及断裂破坏机制基础上,考虑渗透压对初始裂隙面上有效正应力的影响,提出高低渗透压环境的判定准则,并基于滑动裂纹模型理论及最大周向拉应力破坏准则,得到不同渗透压环境下初始裂隙尖端微裂纹起裂特征与规律。研究结果表明：压剪复合应力条件下,初始裂隙尖端发育微裂纹的最优倾角与裂隙面摩擦系数直接相关,随裂隙面摩擦系数的增大,最优初始裂隙倾角由45°起逐渐增大;低渗透压条件下,渗流场的存在使裂纹面摩擦系数发生弱化,进而使得最优初始裂隙倾角向45°靠近,而渗透压直接降低裂隙面上有效正应力且与裂隙倾角无关,其仅仅影响裂隙体材料的初裂强度;高渗透压条件下,初始裂隙面由压剪复合应力状态转化为拉剪复合应力状态,并在拉剪复合应力场作用下,尖端微裂纹起裂角随KI/KII的不断增大,由70.5°逐渐趋近于0°。     

修正应变能密度因子准则及岩石裂纹扩展研究

由应变能密度因子理论得出裂纹沿着形状改变比能密度因子最小的方向扩展,但理论中所使用的应力强度因子是在拉应力作用下计算得出的,而自然界中的岩体通常处于压应力场中。因此,在修正的应变能密度因子理论的基础上,结合压缩荷载作用下的裂纹尖端应力强度因子,并考虑裂纹面之间的摩擦作用得出了针对压缩荷载作用下的岩石裂纹扩展的应变能密度因子理论,并运用该理论分析了裂纹倾角、围压以及裂面摩擦力对破裂角的影响,将分析结果与已有的试验和数值分析结果进行比较,取得了良好的一致性。分析得出,在单轴压缩荷载作用下临界破裂荷载随着裂纹倾角的增大而先减小、后增大,并且一个裂纹倾角对应多个破裂角,即裂纹朝多个方向发展;在三轴压缩荷载作用下,破裂角与围压大小有关。此研究成果可为压应力场中岩石裂纹扩展的数值模拟提供参考。     

含有硬包裹体分布的非均质岩石水力压裂特性研究

基于完全流-固耦合的弹塑性理论给出了水力压裂数值计算的弥散裂缝模型,其中材料的弹性部分采用线弹性本构关系,塑性部分采用摩尔-库仑破坏准则及强化准则。依据当前的有效应力状态修正渗透系数来模拟压裂液在裂缝中的流动。渗透系数的修改使用双曲正切函数,并采用平均有效应力作为水力裂缝的起裂判据。在ABAQUS软件中通过用户自定义程序添加了该模型。根据岩石的切面照片建立了含有硬包裹体分布的非均质岩石的有限元计算模型,模拟了中心点注水条件下的水力压裂传播过程,讨论了在常应力状态下非均质岩石中开裂区域、典型位置的应力路径变化和裂缝传播范围随时间变化的特点。进行了多种条件下含有硬包裹体分布的岩石材料的数值试验,得出了基岩材料的弹性模量、凝聚力和渗透系数以及注水速率对峰值注水压力、平均注水压力和裂缝开度的影响规律。     

Fracture energy release and size effect in borehole breakout

The paper presents a simple approximate analytical solution of the remote stresses that cause the collapse of a borehole or other circular cylindrical cavity in an infinite elastic space. Regions of parallel equidistant splitting cracks are assumed to form on the sides of the cavity. Their boundary is assumed to be an ellipse of a growing horizontal axis, the other axis remaining equal to the borehole diameter. The slabs of rock between the splitting cracks are assumed to buckle as slender columns, and their post-critical stress is considered as the residual stress in the cracked rock. The buckling of these slab columns is assumed to be resisted not only by their elastic bending stiffness but also shear stresses produced on rough crack faces by relative shear displacements. The energy release from the infinite medium caused by the growth of the elliptical cracking region is evaluated according to Eschelby's theorem. This release is set equal to the energy dissipated by the formation of all the splitting cracks, which is calculated under the assumption of constant fracture energy. This yields the collapse stress as a function of the elastic moduli, fracture energy, ratio of the remote principal stresses, crack shear resistance characteristic and borehole diameter. The collapse stress as a function of crack spacing is found to have a minimum, and the correct crack spacing is determined from this minimum. For small enough diameters, the crack spacing increases as the (4/5)-power of the borehole diameter, while for large enough diameters a constant spacing is approached. In contrast to plastic solutions, the breakout stress exhibits a size effect, such that for small enough diameters the breakout stress decreases as the (? 2/5)-power of the borehole diameter, while for large enough diameters a constant limiting value is approached. Finally, some numerical estimates are given and the validity of various simplifying assumptions made is discussed.     

模拟岩石中裂纹扩展连接的近场动力学方法

脆性岩石材料在压应力作用下常出现两类裂纹：翼型张拉裂纹和次生剪切裂纹。近场动力学是一种新型的无网格数值计算方法。在近场动力学理论中,采用积分形式的控制方程代替微分形式的控制方程使得该数值算法在断裂问题上具有独特的优势。将Mohr-Coulomb准则和最大主应力准则引入非普通“态”基近场动力学理论中,分别用于模拟材料常见的压剪和张拉破坏。这种扩展的非普通“态”基近场动力学可以有效地模拟脆性岩石材料在多种受力状态下的裂纹起裂、扩展和连接问题。通过5个不同的数值算例说明该数值算法在处理脆性岩石材料断裂问题的有效性和准确性。首先,通过模拟含圆孔的弹性板拉伸数值试验说明该数值算法的有效性和准确性。其次,数值模拟了简单三点弯曲试验以及不使用其他外部准则条件下动荷载作用下裂纹的分叉试验,所得结果与其他试验结果或数值结果相吻合,从而验证了该理论的有效性。然后,模拟了包含斜裂纹的巴西圆盘试验,裂纹扩展路径和计算所得的断裂韧度同样吻合于试验结果。最后,模拟了单轴压缩状态下,预制裂纹试样的裂纹扩展和连接问题。将该数值算法与试验结果对比表明,所提出的数值方法可以模拟和预测岩石类材料的张拉和压剪裂纹的起裂、扩展和连接行为。     

基于3D-DIC的砂岩裂纹扩展及损伤监测试验研究

裂纹监测对岩石损伤演化的认识至关重要。为研究岩石裂纹扩展及损伤变形特性,开展了含不同倾角（0°～90°）预制裂隙的标准细黄砂岩样的单轴压缩试验。利用三维数字图像相关技术（3D-DIC）获取岩样三维空间坐标下的应变分布,并结合声发射从光学与声学的角度监测了裂纹的扩展演化。由此提出了一种裂纹主应变的计算方法,定量表征岩石劣化的损伤变量D值。最后,探讨了由声发射与损伤变量D值确定岩样特征强度的影响因素。结论如下：（1）裂纹主应变反映了岩样受荷过程中同源裂纹在时间上的变化速率与空间上的扩展趋势,能较好地表征岩石的开裂行为;（2）声发射适用于确定岩样的起裂应力,不适用于损伤应力的确定,损伤变量D值所确定的起裂应力滞后于声发射,但适用于损伤应力特征值的确定;（3）结合声发射与DIC技术确定的归一化起裂应力范围为0.63～0.94、归一化损伤应力的范围为0.83～0.99;（4）预有裂隙会影响岩石的材料力学性能。随着倾角的增加,岩石的起裂应力、损伤应力及峰值应力呈增长的趋势,由于难以形成局部应变场聚集,裂纹的萌生与起裂更加困难。结果表明,3D-DIC技术的利用可以提高对岩石开裂行为的理解,对岩石的损伤监测与判识更有重要的意义。     

岩石材料裂纹扩展的改进近场动力学方法模拟

在传统键基近场动力学模型的基础上,提出可以反映岩石类材料应力-应变变化特点的改进型模型,弥补了传统近场动力学模型在模拟岩石类材料时无法反映岩石内应力随应变先增加再减小最后破坏这一特性的不足。运用改进型模型,对含有单裂纹试件在不同预制裂纹角度及拉伸荷载条件下的裂纹扩展过程进行了数值模拟,分析了开裂角度在不同预制裂纹角度及拉伸荷载条件下的变化。结果表明：预制角度及拉伸荷载对开裂角度都有影响,在试件周围拉荷载接近的情况下会获得较小的开裂角,并且在拉荷载一定的条件下开裂角会有先增加后减少的规律。同时模拟了含裂纹岩石在单轴压缩条件下的裂纹扩展情况,将数值模拟的结果与室内试验的结果对比,验证了所提出新模型的有效性。所提出的新模型可以较好地模拟岩石类材料在拉荷载条件下的力学特性,在岩石数值模拟方面有着较为广泛的应用前景。     

A relationship between tensile strength and loading stress governing the onset of mode I crack propagation obtained via numerical investigations using a bonded particle model

Numerical models based on the discrete element method are used to study the fracturing process in brittle rock‐like materials under direct and indirect tension. The results demonstrate the capacity of the model to capture the essential characteristics of fracture including the onset of crack propagation, stable and unstable crack growth, arrest and reinitiation of fracturing, and crack branching. Simulations of Brazilian indirect tension tests serve to calibrate the numerical model, relating macroscopic tensile strength of specimens to their micromechanical breakage parameters. A second suite of simulations reveals a linear relationship between the tensile strength of specimens and the loading stress for which mode I tensile crack propagation ensues. Based on these results, a crack initiation criterion for brittle materials is proposed, prescribing the stressing conditions required to induce tensile failure. Such a criterion, if broadly applicable, provides a practical means to rapidly assess the failure potential of brittle materials under tensile loads.     

The Brazilian Disc Test for Rock Mechanics Applications: Review and New Insights

The development of the Brazilian disc test for determining indirect tensile strength and its applications in rock mechanics are reviewed herein. Based on the history of research on the Brazilian test by analytical, experimental, and numerical approaches, three research stages can be identified. Most of the early studies focused on the tensile stress distribution in Brazilian disc specimens, while ignoring the tensile strain distribution. The observation of different crack initiation positions in the Brazilian disc has drawn a lot of research interest from the rock mechanics community. A simple extension strain criterion was put forward by Stacey (Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 18(6):469–474, 1981) to account for extension crack initiation and propagation in rocks, although this is not widely used. In the present study, a linear elastic numerical model is constructed to study crack initiation in a 50-mm-diameter Brazilian disc using FLAC^3D. The maximum tensile stress and the maximum tensile strain are both found to occur about 5 mm away from the two loading points along the compressed diameter of the disc, instead of at the center of the disc surface. Therefore, the crack initiation point of the Brazilian test for rocks may be located near the loading point when the tensile strain meets the maximum extension strain criterion, but at the surface center when the tensile stress meets the maximum tensile strength criterion.     

三星堆城墙干缩裂缝开裂与扩展机理

针对土遗址干缩裂缝病害,以三星堆月亮湾城墙剖面为依托,探讨干缩裂缝的开裂条件、扩展特征以及失稳扩展条件。研究结果有助于揭示土遗址开裂规律,对遗址保护的工程实践具有指导意义。针对月亮湾城墙土体进行室内干燥试验,通过电子天平记录试样失水过程,采用图像分析技术得到裂缝的开裂与扩展过程,利用数字图像相关技术得到开裂过程的位移场与应变场。结果表明:试样表面缺陷降低了开裂所需的拉应力,缺陷与边界的距离越小,引发开裂的缺陷临界尺寸就越小,因此裂缝更易在试样边界附近缺陷处产生;根据断裂力学理论,考虑含水率对土体性质的影响,裂缝失稳扩展需满足应力强度因子对含水率的增加率大于断裂韧性;理论推导出裂缝失稳扩展临界长度的计算方法,该方法初步得到了实测数据验证;随着含水率从45.6%降低到29.1%,失稳扩展临界长度与试样宽度比值从0.109减小到0.024,含水率越低裂缝越易进入失稳扩展阶段,开裂处一个微小的缺陷就可能引发裂缝的快速扩展;对土遗址表面进行保护时,应着重修补分布在土层边界区域的大尺寸缺陷;定期监测土遗址临空面,一旦发现开裂,应及时对裂缝及其附近缺陷进行修复,以防止裂缝失稳扩展。     

模拟岩石破裂过程的块体单元离散弹簧模型

在变形体离散元的基础上建立块体单元离散弹簧模型,并应用于岩石破裂过程的数值模拟研究。该模型以连续介质力学理论为基础,将块体单元离散为具有明确物理意义的弹簧系统,通过对弹簧系统的能量泛函求变分获得各弹簧的刚度系数,进而可以直接利用弹簧刚度求解单元的变形和应力,提高计算效率。以重力作用下的岩质边坡计算为例,通过与传统的有限元进行对比,验证该模型弹性计算结果的正确性。在该基础上,引入Mohr-Coulomb与最大拉应力的复合破坏准则,判断单元的破坏状态及破裂方向。当单元的内部破坏面确定后,则通过块体切割的方式实现单元破坏,并建立单元边界和单元内部的双重破裂机制,实现块体由连续到非连续的破裂过程,进而显示的模拟裂纹的形成和扩展。最后,以巴西圆盘劈裂、单轴压缩破裂以及三点弯曲梁等典型算例验证该方法,结果表明该方法可以较好地模拟拉伸、压剪等应力状态下裂纹的形成和扩展,从而可模拟岩石介质由连续到非连续的破裂过程。     

一种测量岩石压缩裂纹扩展过程声波波速的连续测量方法

中低围压或单轴压缩荷载条件下,可以将脆性岩石材料的裂纹扩展过程划分为原生裂纹压密、新生裂纹起裂并稳定扩展、不稳定裂纹扩展和交互贯通以及峰后5个主要发展阶段。含预制裂纹试样的直接观测法、应变监测、声发射（AE）监测、声波波速测试、CT（computerized tomography）扫描、微电镜观察等间接监测方法被用来研究裂纹起裂和扩展过程。本文基于在中、低围压以及单轴压缩荷载条件下,脆性岩石材料首先产生张拉裂纹,并优先沿加载方向发育的规律,提出采用声波波速连续测量方法进行岩石加载过程波速的连续观测,有助于分析裂纹扩展过程中声波波速的变化,为研究裂纹扩展过程提供一种间接测量手段。     

Influence of inclination angles and confining pressures on mechanical behavior of rock materials containing a preexisting crack

To deeply understand the cracking mechanical behavior of brittle rock materials, numerical simulations of a rock specimen containing a single preexisting crack were carried out by the expanded distinct element method (EDEM). Based on the analysis of crack tips and a comparison between stress- and strain-based methods, the strain strength criterion was adopted in the numerical models to simulate the crack initiation and propagation processes under uniaxial and biaxial compression. The simulation results indicated that the crack inclination angle and confining pressure had a great influence on the tensile and shear properties, peak strength, and failure behaviors, which also showed a good agreement with the experimental results. If the specimen was under uniaxial compression, it was found that the initiation stress and peak strength first decreased and then increased with an increasing inclination angle α. Regardless of the size of α, tensile cracks initiated prior to shear cracks. If α was small (such as α ≤ 30°), the tensile cracks dominated the specimen failure, the wing cracks propagated towards the direction of uniaxial compression, and the propagation of shear cracks was inhibited by the high concentration of tensile stress. In contrast, if α was large (such as α ≥ 45°), mixed cracks dominated the specimen failure, and the external loading favored the further propagation of shear cracks. Analyzing the numerical results of the specimen with a 45° inclination angle under biaxial compression, it was revealed that lateral confinement had a significant influence on the initiation sequence and the mechanical properties of new cracks.     

Modeling crack propagation path of anisotropic rocks using boundary element method

In a cracked material, the stress intensity factors (SIFs) at the crack tips, which govern the crack propagation and are associated with the strength of the material, are strongly affected by the crack inclination angle and the orientation with respect to the principal direction of anisotropy. In this paper, a formulation of the boundary element method (BEM), based on the relative displacements of the crack tip, is used to determine the mixed‐mode SIFs of isotropic and anisotropic rocks. Numerical examples of the application of the formulation for different crack inclination angles, crack lengths, and degree of material anisotropy are presented. Furthermore, the BEM formulation combined with the maximum circumferential stress criterion is adopted to predict the crack initiation angles and simulate the crack propagation paths. The propagation path in cracked straight through Brazilian disc specimen is numerically predicted and the results of numerical and experimental data compared with the actual laboratory observations. Good agreement is found between the two approaches. The proposed BEM formulation is therefore suitable to simulate the process of crack propagation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crack propagation trajectories for rocks under mixed mode I-II fracture

Propagation of a crack in engineering materials including rocks can cause failure. Knowledge of the stress state under which a crack can propagate, and the trajectory it may follow during its growth are thus very important for the stability of rock masses/materials and for the safe design of structures in/on rocks. In this paper, the crack initiation angle and subsequent crack propagation path are experimentally investigated for limestone rock specimens. This investigation was conducted under various mixed mode I-II loading conditions, including pure mode-I and pure mode-II.This study includes conducting diametrical compression tests on notched Brazilian disk specimens. Moreover, the effect of confining pressure and temperature on crack initiation and propagation were also studied. The experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions of crack initiation angle. The results showed that limestone behaves in brittle fashion, and the effects of confining pressure and temperature on failure trajectories were not significant. Generally, the crack initiation angle can be predicted by the maximum tangential stress criterion. However, for notched Brazilian disk with high value of crack orientation with respect to loading direction, crack does not propagate from the tip of the crack. This important observation indicated that the tensile-strength failure can become more critical than the fracture-toughness failure.