Size effect in true mode II fracturing of rocks: Theory and experiment


Date

2022

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

Altmetric

Data

Abstract

The influence of specimen size on the measured values of true mode II fracture toughness (KIIc) of rocks have been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. In the experimental study, the double-edge notched Brazilian disk (DNBD) test is utilised to perform fracture toughness experiments with various specimen radii ranging from 27 to 101 mm. Test results demonstrate a significant increase of KIIc with the specimen size. The reason for this trend is explained by a novel mathematical model developed based on the fracture process zone and the energy release rate (ERR) concepts. Comparing the predictions of the theoretical model with the experimental data reveals that the proposed theory can accurately predict the size effect phenomenon in the DNBD test data. To compare the results of KIIc with KIc, similar experimental and theoretical analyses are also performed for mode I fracture toughness tests using the semi-circular bend specimens. Lastly, we present a set of correction factors as functions of specimen size, whereby making it possible to estimate the size independent value of KIIc from the test results obtained from laboratory size DNBD specimens.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

94

Pages / Article No.

104593

Publisher

Elsevier

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

True mode II fracturing; Size effect; Fracture process zone; Shear failure

Organisational unit

08822 - Driesner, Thomas (Tit.-Prof.) check_circle

Notes

Funding

Related publications and datasets