3D Crack Growth in Biaxial Compression: Influence of Shape and Inclination of Initial Cracks

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Abstract

An experimental study of 3-D crack growth from initial cracks of different shapes and inclinations in biaxial compression with different biaxial load ratios (σx/ σy) is presented. Unlike 3-D crack growth in uniaxial compression, which is characterised by the presence of intrinsic limits on 3-D growth of wing cracks associated with wing wrapping, in biaxial compression the wing crack can grow extensively and is parallel to the free surfaces of the specimen as long as the σx/ σy ratio exceeds a threshold. Surprisingly, the threshold is extremely low: around 0.05 for all cases considered; below this threshold, the wing crack growth is restricted. It is found that the shape and inclination of the initial crack have minor effect on this transition process.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3161-3183
Number of pages23
JournalRock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
Volume53
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2020

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