Crack evolution mechanism of stratified rock mass under different strength ratios and soft layer thickness: Insights from DEM modeling

Research on stratified rock masses, which are common geological formations, has primarily focused on their mechanical properties, while studies on crack evolution and microscopic damage mechanisms remain limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating the combined effects of strength ratios...

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Main Authors: Qinji Jia, Xiaoming Liu, Xin Tan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Soils and Foundations
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038080624001124
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author Qinji Jia
Xiaoming Liu
Xin Tan
author_facet Qinji Jia
Xiaoming Liu
Xin Tan
author_sort Qinji Jia
collection DOAJ
description Research on stratified rock masses, which are common geological formations, has primarily focused on their mechanical properties, while studies on crack evolution and microscopic damage mechanisms remain limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating the combined effects of strength ratios and soft layer thicknesses on the microcrack evolution mechanism of stratified rocks using the discrete element method (DEM). Through FISH language programming in the particle flow code (PFC), this study reveals the acoustic emission (AE) characteristics, crack initiation and propagation, damage degree, and final failure characteristics. The key findings are: (1) Higher strength ratios between the hard and soft components of stratified rocks make specimens more sensitive to increases in soft layer thickness. (2) Three types of AE events were identified: continuous active, intermittent active, and silent. (3) Cracks initiate at the interface between components and propagate along the interface into the rock matrix. The strength ratios determine the crack propagation path and the damage extent of the components. (4) The failure of stratified rocks is primarily controlled by the soft component. Crack connections typically form vertical and sub-vertical tensile failure planes in the hard component, and a shear failure surface with a “V”-shaped intersection in the soft component.
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spelling doaj-art-e8546c77803b4a9584b27764929881b52025-08-20T02:49:08ZengElsevierSoils and Foundations2524-17882024-12-0164610153410.1016/j.sandf.2024.101534Crack evolution mechanism of stratified rock mass under different strength ratios and soft layer thickness: Insights from DEM modelingQinji Jia0Xiaoming Liu1Xin Tan2Department of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, ChinaCorresponding author.; Department of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, ChinaDepartment of Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, ChinaResearch on stratified rock masses, which are common geological formations, has primarily focused on their mechanical properties, while studies on crack evolution and microscopic damage mechanisms remain limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating the combined effects of strength ratios and soft layer thicknesses on the microcrack evolution mechanism of stratified rocks using the discrete element method (DEM). Through FISH language programming in the particle flow code (PFC), this study reveals the acoustic emission (AE) characteristics, crack initiation and propagation, damage degree, and final failure characteristics. The key findings are: (1) Higher strength ratios between the hard and soft components of stratified rocks make specimens more sensitive to increases in soft layer thickness. (2) Three types of AE events were identified: continuous active, intermittent active, and silent. (3) Cracks initiate at the interface between components and propagate along the interface into the rock matrix. The strength ratios determine the crack propagation path and the damage extent of the components. (4) The failure of stratified rocks is primarily controlled by the soft component. Crack connections typically form vertical and sub-vertical tensile failure planes in the hard component, and a shear failure surface with a “V”-shaped intersection in the soft component.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038080624001124Composite rockFlat joint contact modelSmooth joint contact modelMechanical performanceCrack development pattern
spellingShingle Qinji Jia
Xiaoming Liu
Xin Tan
Crack evolution mechanism of stratified rock mass under different strength ratios and soft layer thickness: Insights from DEM modeling
Soils and Foundations
Composite rock
Flat joint contact model
Smooth joint contact model
Mechanical performance
Crack development pattern
title Crack evolution mechanism of stratified rock mass under different strength ratios and soft layer thickness: Insights from DEM modeling
title_full Crack evolution mechanism of stratified rock mass under different strength ratios and soft layer thickness: Insights from DEM modeling
title_fullStr Crack evolution mechanism of stratified rock mass under different strength ratios and soft layer thickness: Insights from DEM modeling
title_full_unstemmed Crack evolution mechanism of stratified rock mass under different strength ratios and soft layer thickness: Insights from DEM modeling
title_short Crack evolution mechanism of stratified rock mass under different strength ratios and soft layer thickness: Insights from DEM modeling
title_sort crack evolution mechanism of stratified rock mass under different strength ratios and soft layer thickness insights from dem modeling
topic Composite rock
Flat joint contact model
Smooth joint contact model
Mechanical performance
Crack development pattern
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038080624001124
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AT xiaomingliu crackevolutionmechanismofstratifiedrockmassunderdifferentstrengthratiosandsoftlayerthicknessinsightsfromdemmodeling
AT xintan crackevolutionmechanismofstratifiedrockmassunderdifferentstrengthratiosandsoftlayerthicknessinsightsfromdemmodeling