Hybrid Finite-Discrete Element Modelling of Various Rock Fracture Modes during Three Conventional Bending Tests

The numerical techniques for modelling the rock fracture have been briefly reviewed. A hybrid finite-discrete element method (HFDEM) is proposed to simulate various fracture types of rock. A fracture model is implemented in the HFDEM for simulation of the three main fracture types. In addition, the influence of the strain rate is considered during the HFDEM modelling rock behavior. Then, two typical rock mechanism tests are employed to calibrate the HFDEM. The proposed method has well modelled the rock fracture processes and can obtain reasonable stress distribution and force–displacement curves. After that, the HFDEM is used to model three convention bending tests. The obtained rock fracture processes indicates that the HFDEM can simulate various fracture types. The obtained rock strengths and fracture toughness indicate that the HFDEM can reflect the influence of the strain rate. It is concluded that the HFDEM can model the entire and complete rock fracture process during the three convention bending tests, and it also can capture the rock’s behavior on the strain rate.

In situ transmission electron microscopy observation of the deformation and fracture processes of an epoxy/silica nanocomposite

Herein, we report the in situ transmission electron microscopy observation of the deformation and fracture processes of an epoxy resin thin film containing silica nanoparticles under tensile strain. Under tensile...

New granular rock-analogue materials for simulation of multi-scale fault and fracture processes

In this study, we present a new granular rock-analogue material (GRAM) with a dynamic scaling suitable for the simulation of fault and fracture processes in analogue experiments. Dynamically scaled experiments allow the direct comparison of geometrical, kinematical and mechanical processes between model and nature. The geometrical scaling factor defines the model resolution, which depends on the density and cohesive strength ratios of model material and natural rocks. Granular materials such as quartz sands are ideal for the simulation of upper crustal deformation processes as a result of similar nonlinear deformation behaviour of granular flow and brittle rock deformation. We compared the geometrical scaling factor of common analogue materials applied in tectonic models, and identified a gap in model resolution corresponding to the outcrop and structural scale (1–100 m). The proposed GRAM is composed of quartz sand and hemihydrate powder and is suitable to form cohesive aggregates capable of deforming by tensile and shear failure under variable stress conditions. Based on dynamical shear tests, GRAM is characterized by a similar stress–strain curve as dry quartz sand, has a cohesive strength of 7.88 kPa and an average density of 1.36 g cm−3. The derived geometrical scaling factor is 1 cm in model = 10.65 m in nature. For a large-scale test, GRAM material was applied in strike-slip analogue experiments. Early results demonstrate the potential of GRAM to simulate fault and fracture processes, and their interaction in fault zones and damage zones during different stages of fault evolution in dynamically scaled analogue experiments.

Low-Cycle Fatigue of FRP Strips Glued to a Quasi-Brittle Material

This paper aims at further advancing the knowledge about the cyclic behavior of FRP strips glued to quasi-brittle materials, such as concrete. The results presented herein derive from a numerical model based on concepts of based on fracture mechanics and already presented and validated by the authors in previous works. Particularly, it assumes that fracture processes leading to debonding develop in pure mode II, as is widely accepted in the literature. Starting from this assumption (and having clear both its advantages acnd shortcomings), the results of a parametric analysis are presented with the aim of investigating the role of both the mechanical properties of the interface bond–slip law and a relevant geometric quantity such as the bond length. The obtained results show the influence of the interface bond–slip law and FRP bond length on the resulting cyclic response of the FRP-to-concrete joint, the latter characterized in terms of S-N curves generally adopted in the theory of fatigue. Far from deriving a fully defined correlation among those parameters, the results indicate general trends that can be helpful to drive further investigation, both experimental and numerical in nature.

A phase-field approach to pneumatic fracture with anisotropic crack resistance

Phase-field models of fracture allow the prediction of crack propagation and crack patterns. In this contribution, externally driven fracture processes in linear and finite elasticity are investigated. Different approaches to consider pneumatic pressure and materials with non-isotropic crack resistance are studied, combined, and examined in detail. The versatility of the proposed models is proven by a series of numerical simulations in two and three dimensions.

An Improved Form of 2D SPH Method for Modeling the Excavation Damage of Tunnels Containing Random Fissures

The excavation damage of deep tunnels is one of the most important factors contributing to the failure of tunnel structures. In order to investigate the influence of tunnel shapes and fissure geometries, the kernel function in the traditional SPH method has been improved, which can realize the brittle fracture characteristics of particles and can be called the Improved Kernel of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (IKSPH-2D). Meanwhile, the random fissure generation method in IKSPH has been put forward. Different tunnel shapes, fissure geometries, and locations are considered during the simulation of tunnel excavation, and results show that (1) the typical “V”-shaped shear damage zones appear after the tunnel excavation, which is consistent with engineering practice. Meanwhile, tunnel excavation also has an “activating” effect on the preexisting fissures. (2) The stability of circular-shaped tunnel is the best, while horseshoe shaped tunnel is worse, and the “U”-shaped tunnel is the worst. (3) Fissures with small and large dip angles have the greatest influence on the stability of tunnel excavation. With the increase of fissure numbers and lengths, the tunnel tends to be instable. (4) The IKSPH method gets free from traditional grids in FEM, which can dynamically reflect the fracture processes of tunnel excavation. Meanwhile, developing 3D IKSPH parallel program will be the future directions.

The role of aggregate granulation on testing fracture properties of concrete

Concrete is a porous material containing aggregate of different sizes, hardened cement matrix with air pores, microcracks and water. Concrete internal structure is different from that of other engineering materials. Furthermore concrete is described as quazi-brittle material. Fracture processes in it form in a way that does not fit within classical theories. Therefore, to describe failure of concrete structures nonlinear fracture mechanics is often applied with success. Basic concrete parameters, like compressive and tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity, are not enough to analyze fracture processes in concrete structures. Additional fracture properties should be tested, among them fracture energy, complete diagram of stress-deformation under axial tension and the width of fracture process zone. Recognizing and testing fracture parameters is of paramount importance when analysing fracture process in concrete structures. The correct data of material’s properties and the adequate fracture model applied in numerical simulations influence final results. In the paper the findings reported in the professional literature are summarized and obtained results of the own numerical simulation are reported in order to give a deeper knowledge on the role of aggregate on fracture properties of concrete.

Investigation of fatigue fracture processes for vibration reliability

One of the important stages of obtaining reinforced concrete structures at a construction site, undoubtedly, is their manufacture. The process of creating reinforced concrete structures requires the use of appropriate technical solutions. One of these solutions is vibration pads, which perform the main task when creating high-quality reinforced concrete structures. The efficiency of the vibrating platforms is the key to ensuring the stable implementation of the complete technological process in the manufacture of reinforced concrete structures.