Crack Patterns in Heterogenous Rocks Using a Combined Phase Field-Cohesive Interface Modeling Approach: A Numerical Study

José Reinoso, Percy Durand, Pattabhi Ramaiah Budarapu and Marco Paggi
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José Reinoso: Elasticity and Strength of Materials Group, School of Engineering, Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Seville, Spain
Percy Durand: Department of Building Structures and Geotechnical Engineering, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
Pattabhi Ramaiah Budarapu: School of Mechanical Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar 752050, India
Marco Paggi: IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Piazza San Francesco 19, 55100 Lucca, Italy

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-28

Abstract: Rock fracture in geo-materials is a complex phenomenon due to its intrinsic characteristics and the potential external loading conditions. As a result, these materials can experience intricate fracture patterns endowing various cracking phenomena such as: branching, coalescence, shielding, and amplification, among many others. In this article, we present a numerical investigation concerning the applicability of an original bulk-interface fracture simulation technique to trigger such phenomena within the context of the phase field approach for fracture. In particular, the prediction of failure patterns in heterogenous rock masses with brittle response is accomplished through the current methodology by combining the phase field approach for intact rock failure and the cohesive interface-like modeling approach for its application in joint fracture. Predictions from the present technique are first validated against Brazilian test results, which were developed using alternative phase field methods, and with respect to specimens subjected to different loading case and whose corresponding definitions are characterized by the presence of single and multiple flaws. Subsequently, the numerical study is extended to the analysis of heterogeneous rock masses including joints that separate different potential lithologies, leading to tortuous crack paths, which are observed in many practical situations.

Keywords: rock mechanics; phase field approach to fracture; fracture of geo-materials; cohesive zone model; interface modeling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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