Summary
The Fracture process zone in compact tension specimens of Indiana limestone was investigated to study its effect on the fracture mechanics parameters in such materials. Specimens were tested up to the peak load, and propagation of the crack from a preexisting notch was monitored. Experiments were designed to study the two features of the fracture process zone in rocks: ligament connections and microcracking.
To observe this zone with high sensitivity and accuracy, laser interferometry methods were adopted. Holographic Interferometry was used to observe initial crack propagation. To obtain more quantitative measurements of the displacement field, in realtime, the recently developed technique of electronic speckle pattern interferometry was applied. This technique can provide continuous video recording of the interferometric fringe pattern, depict the evolution of the fracture process, and measure profiles of crack opening displacements.
The macroscopic observations of full-field displacement by the laser techniques were supplemented by post mortem observation of the fracture region under a scanning electron microscope. Regions around the crack were studied after the test for possible presence of microcracks.
An interactive finite element code was used to compute the stress intensity factors of the propagating crack-tip and displacements. Finite element computations were used to evaluate the effect of the process zone on crack propagation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ballarini, R., Shah, S. P., Keer, L. M., (1984): Crack growth in cement based composites. Engng. Fract Mech. 20 (3), 433–446.
Barenblatt, G. I. (1962): Mathematical theory of equilibrium cracks in brittle fracture. Adv. Appl. Mech. 7, 55–129.
Bazant, Z. P. (1985): Mechanics of fracture and progressive cracking in concrete structures. In: Shi DiTommaso (eds.), Fracture mechanics of concrete, Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, 1–94.
Boone, N., Wawrzynek, P. A., Ingraffea, A. (1986): Simulation of the fracture process in rock with application to hydrofracturing. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min Sci. 23 (3), 255–265.
Butters, J. N., Leendertz, J. A. (1971): Speckle pattern and holographic techniques in engineering metrology. Opt. Laser Technol. 3 (1), 26–30.
Chhuy, S., Cannard, G., Robert, J. L., Acker, P. (1986). Experimental investigation into the damage of cement concrete with natural aggregates. In: Brandt, A. M., Marshall, I. H. (eds.), Brittle matrix composites 1, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 341–353.
Diamond, S., Bentur, A. (1985): On the cracking of concrete and fibre reinforced cements. In: Shah, S. P. (ed.), Application of fracture mechanics to cementitious composites, Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, 87–141.
Du, J., Hawkins, N. M., Kobayashi, A. S. (1989): A hybrid analysis of fracture process zone in concrete. In: Shah, S. P., Swartz, S. E. (eds.), Fracture of concrete and rock: Recent developments, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 297–306.
Dugdale, D. C. (1960): Yielding of steel sheetings containing slits. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 8, 100–104.
Getting, I. C., Roecken, C., Spetzler, H. (1986): Improved acoustic emission locations. J. Nondestructive Evaluation 5 (3/4), 133–143.
Griffith, A. A. (1921): The phenomena of rupture and flow in solids. Philosophical Transactions, Series A, vol. 221, Royal Soc., London, 163–198.
Hertzberg, F. W. (1989): Deformation and fracture mechanics of engineering materials. 3rd ed., Wiley, New York, 655.
Hoagland, R. G., Hahn, G. T., Rosenfield, A. R. (1973): Influence of microstructure on fracture propagation in rock. Rock Mechanics 5 (2), 77–106.
Jacquot, P., Rastogi, P. K. (1983): Speckle metrology and holographic interferometry applied to the study of cracks in concrete. In: Wittmann, F. H. (ed.), Fracture mechanics of concrete, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 113–156.
Jenq, Y. S., Shah, S. P. (1985): A fracture toughness criterion for concrete. Engng. Fract. Mech. 21 (5), 1055–1069.
Jones, R., Wykes, C. (1983): Holographic and speckle interferometry. Cambridge University Press. 165–197.
Kobayashi, T., Fcurney, W. I. (1978): Experimental characterization of the development of the microcrack process zone at a crack tip in rock under load. In: Proc., 19th U. S. Symp. on Rock Mech., Nevada, Reno, 243–246.
Labuz, J. F., Shah, S. P., Dowding, C. H. (1985): Experimental analysis of crack propagation in granite. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 22 (2), 85–98.
Maji, A. K., Shah, S. P. (1988): Process zone and acoustic emission measurements in concrete Experimental Mechanics, March, 27–33.
Maji, A. K., Shah, S. P. (1989): Application of acoustic emission and laser holography to study microfracture in concrete. ACI-SP 112, Nondestructive Testing, American Concrete Institute, 83–107.
Maji, A. K., Shah, S. P. (1990): Measurement of mixed-mode crack profiles by holographic interferometry. Experimental Mechanics, June, 201–207.
Maji, A. K., Shah, S. P. (1991): Laser interferometry methods. RILEM Committee 89-FMT Report, Fracture mechanics of concrete: Test methods, RILEM, France, 263–279.
Miller, R. A., Shah, S. P., Bjelkhagen, H. I. (1988): Crack profiles in mortar measured by holographic interferometry. Experimental Mechanics, December 388–394.
Mindess, S. (1983): The application of fracture mechanics to cement and concrete: a historical review. In: Wittmann, F. H. (ed.), Fracture mechanics of concrete. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1–41.
Mindess, S. (1991): Fracture process zone detection. RILEM Committee 89-FMT Report, Fracture mechanics of concrete: Test methods, RILEM, France, 231–262.
McClintock, F. A., Irwin, G. R. (1965): Plasticity aspects of fracture mechanics, fracture toughness testing and its applications. ASTM STP 381, p. 84.
Najjar, W. D., Hover, K. C. (1988): Modifications of the X-radiography technique to include a contrast agent for identifying and studying microcracking in concrete. Cement, Concrete and Aggregate 10 (1), 15–19.
Nolen-Hoeksema, R. C., Gordon, R. B. (1987): Optical detection of crack patterns in the opening-mode fracture or marble. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. and Geomech. Abstr. 24 (2), 135–144.
Ouchterlony, F. (1982): Review of fracture toughness testing of rock. SM Archives 7, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht, 131–211.
Pantaki, M. J., Gerstle, W. (1988): A new integrated, computer graphics design tool. Technical Report RSI-039, NSF-SBIR phase I Report, Washington.
Park, D., Jung, J. (1988): Application of holographic interferometry to the study of time-dependent behavior of rock and coal. Rock Mech. Rock. Engng. 21 (4), 259–270.
Regnault, P., Bruhwiler, E. (1988): Holographic interferometry for the determination of fracture process zone in concrete. In: Proc., Int. Conf. Fracture of Concrete and Rock Vienna.
Rossmanith, H. P. (ed.) (1983): Rock fracture mechanics. Springer, Wien New York, 69–150.
Schmidt, R. A. (1976): Fracture toughness testing of limestone. Experimental Mechanics 16, 161–167.
Schmidt, R. A., Lutz, T. J. (1979):K Ic andJ Ic of westerly granite—effects of thickness and In-plane dimensions. In: Freiman, S. W. (ed.), Fracture mechanics applied to brittle materials, ASTM STP 678, Philadelphia, 166–182.
Swanson, P. L. (1984): Subcritical fracture propagation in rocks: An examination using methods of fracture mechanics and nondestructive testing. PhD Dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder.
Tada, H. (1973): The stress intensity factor handbook. Del Research Corporation, Hellertown, Pa.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Maji, A.K., Wang, J.L. Experimental study of fracture processes in rock. Rock Mech Rock Engng 25, 25–47 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01041874
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01041874