Experimental study of hybrid crack of coal-measure rocks with image and acoustic emission monitoring using SCB method

Most instability damage in rock engineering results from the accumulation of microcracks. Fracture tests were conducted in I/II mixed mode using semi-circular bending (SCB) Specimens comprising coal, sandy mudstone, and sandstone with five different pre-fracture angles ( β ). The evolution of fractu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Baoyan Zhi, Zitao Yao, Guanchao Ma, Shichang Liang, Binchang Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-09-01
Series:Energy Exploration & Exploitation
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/01445987251341998
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Summary:Most instability damage in rock engineering results from the accumulation of microcracks. Fracture tests were conducted in I/II mixed mode using semi-circular bending (SCB) Specimens comprising coal, sandy mudstone, and sandstone with five different pre-fracture angles ( β ). The evolution of fracture processes and micro-deformation field in rocks were analyzed using digital image calculation method (DICM) and acoustic emission (AE) monitoring. The findings indicate that as β increases, K I gradually decreases, while K II initially increases and then decreases with β growth. Integrating load force-time curves with AE signals reveals three stages in the fracture processes of coal, sandy mudstone, and sandstone: crack initiation, stable crack expansion, and destabilization damage. Furthermore, a comprehensive comparison confirms that experimental results of fracture toughness ( K eff ) for the three rock specimens in I/II hybrid crack mode are consistent with the principles of the modified maximum circumferential stress (MMTS) theory.
ISSN:0144-5987
2048-4054