Insights into the X-shaped fissure propagation and interaction mechanisms of rock specimens: 3D printing experiments and DEM simulations

X-shaped fissures are prevalent in natural rocks and significantly influence rock mass stability, yet their interaction and propagation mechanisms remain inadequately studied. This research fabricated rock-like specimens with single and double X-shaped fissures using sand 3D printing technology. Uni...

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Main Authors: Yiqing Sun, Wei Huang, Lei Gan, Zhenzhong Shen, Hongwei Zhang, Wenbing Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005406
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author Yiqing Sun
Wei Huang
Lei Gan
Zhenzhong Shen
Hongwei Zhang
Wenbing Zhang
author_facet Yiqing Sun
Wei Huang
Lei Gan
Zhenzhong Shen
Hongwei Zhang
Wenbing Zhang
author_sort Yiqing Sun
collection DOAJ
description X-shaped fissures are prevalent in natural rocks and significantly influence rock mass stability, yet their interaction and propagation mechanisms remain inadequately studied. This research fabricated rock-like specimens with single and double X-shaped fissures using sand 3D printing technology. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted, and the crack propagation process was analyzed via the DIC method. DEM simulations were also performed to explore the fracture mechanisms. In single X-shaped fissure specimens, crack growth is affected by the inclination angle, with Wing crack (WC) being a dominant propagation mode, and Anti-wing crack (AWC) emerging as the angle increases. In double X-shaped fissure specimens, complex fissure interactions lead to intricate crack propagation, forming through-going main cracks and elaborate crack networks, with Interaction crack (IC) being a notable feature. The stress-strain curves vary with fissure configurations. Specimens with difficult crack propagation generally have higher strength. These findings enhance the understanding of X-shaped fissure fracture mechanisms and offer crucial references for rock engineering design, construction, and stable operation.
format Article
id doaj-art-3447cd41bae541bc9b1085b033f221e6
institution DOAJ
issn 2214-5095
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Case Studies in Construction Materials
spelling doaj-art-3447cd41bae541bc9b1085b033f221e62025-08-20T02:57:05ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-07-0122e0474210.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04742Insights into the X-shaped fissure propagation and interaction mechanisms of rock specimens: 3D printing experiments and DEM simulationsYiqing Sun0Wei Huang1Lei Gan2Zhenzhong Shen3Hongwei Zhang4Wenbing Zhang5Intelligent Transportation System Research Center, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Key Laboratory of Transport Industry of Comprehensive Transportation Theory (Nanjing Modern Multimodal Transportation Laboratory), Nanjing 211100, China; The National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, ChinaIntelligent Transportation System Research Center, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China; Key Laboratory of Transport Industry of Comprehensive Transportation Theory (Nanjing Modern Multimodal Transportation Laboratory), Nanjing 211100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Transport Industry of Comprehensive Transportation Theory (Nanjing Modern Multimodal Transportation Laboratory), Nanjing 211100, China; The National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China; Corresponding author at: The National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China.Key Laboratory of Transport Industry of Comprehensive Transportation Theory (Nanjing Modern Multimodal Transportation Laboratory), Nanjing 211100, China; The National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, ChinaThe National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, ChinaCollege of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China; Corresponding author.X-shaped fissures are prevalent in natural rocks and significantly influence rock mass stability, yet their interaction and propagation mechanisms remain inadequately studied. This research fabricated rock-like specimens with single and double X-shaped fissures using sand 3D printing technology. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted, and the crack propagation process was analyzed via the DIC method. DEM simulations were also performed to explore the fracture mechanisms. In single X-shaped fissure specimens, crack growth is affected by the inclination angle, with Wing crack (WC) being a dominant propagation mode, and Anti-wing crack (AWC) emerging as the angle increases. In double X-shaped fissure specimens, complex fissure interactions lead to intricate crack propagation, forming through-going main cracks and elaborate crack networks, with Interaction crack (IC) being a notable feature. The stress-strain curves vary with fissure configurations. Specimens with difficult crack propagation generally have higher strength. These findings enhance the understanding of X-shaped fissure fracture mechanisms and offer crucial references for rock engineering design, construction, and stable operation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005406Rock fracture mechanicsCrack propagationX-shaped fissure3D printingDamage evolutionsDEM simulation
spellingShingle Yiqing Sun
Wei Huang
Lei Gan
Zhenzhong Shen
Hongwei Zhang
Wenbing Zhang
Insights into the X-shaped fissure propagation and interaction mechanisms of rock specimens: 3D printing experiments and DEM simulations
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Rock fracture mechanics
Crack propagation
X-shaped fissure
3D printing
Damage evolutions
DEM simulation
title Insights into the X-shaped fissure propagation and interaction mechanisms of rock specimens: 3D printing experiments and DEM simulations
title_full Insights into the X-shaped fissure propagation and interaction mechanisms of rock specimens: 3D printing experiments and DEM simulations
title_fullStr Insights into the X-shaped fissure propagation and interaction mechanisms of rock specimens: 3D printing experiments and DEM simulations
title_full_unstemmed Insights into the X-shaped fissure propagation and interaction mechanisms of rock specimens: 3D printing experiments and DEM simulations
title_short Insights into the X-shaped fissure propagation and interaction mechanisms of rock specimens: 3D printing experiments and DEM simulations
title_sort insights into the x shaped fissure propagation and interaction mechanisms of rock specimens 3d printing experiments and dem simulations
topic Rock fracture mechanics
Crack propagation
X-shaped fissure
3D printing
Damage evolutions
DEM simulation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005406
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AT zhenzhongshen insightsintothexshapedfissurepropagationandinteractionmechanismsofrockspecimens3dprintingexperimentsanddemsimulations
AT hongweizhang insightsintothexshapedfissurepropagationandinteractionmechanismsofrockspecimens3dprintingexperimentsanddemsimulations
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