Numerical modelling of the heterogeneous rock fracture process using various test techniques

A series of numerical tests including both rock mechanics and fracture mechanics tests are conducted by the rock and tool (R-T2D) interaction code coupled with a heterogeneous masterial model to obtain the physical-mechanical properties and fracture toughness, as well as to simulate the crack initiation and propagation, and the fracture progressive process. The simulated results not only predict relatively accurate physical-mechanical parameters and fracture toughness, but also visually reproduce the fracture progressive process compared with the experimental and theoretical results. The detailed stress distribution and redistribution, crack nucleation and initiation, stable and unstable crack propagation, interaction and coalescence, and corresponding load-displacement curves can be proposed as benchmarks for experimental study and theoretical research on crack propagation. It is concluded that the heterogeneous material model is reasonable and the R-T 2D code is stable, repeatable and a valuable numerical tool for research on the rock fracture process. © Springer-Verlag 2007.