• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.675-687
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• 2018

In the previous studies on the porous rock strength the effect of pore number and its diameter is not explicitly defined. In this paper crack initiation, propagation and coalescence in Brazilian model disc containing a single cylindrical hole and or multiple holes have been studied numerically using PFC3D. In model with internal hole, the ratio of hole diameter to model diameter was varied between 0.03, 0.17, 0.25, 0.33, and 0.42. In model with multiple hole number of holes was different in various model, i.e., one hole, two holes, three holes, four holes, five holes, six holes, seven holes, eight holes and nine holes. Diameter of these holes was 5 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm. The pre-holed Brazilian discs are numerically tested under Brazilian test. The breakage load in the ring type disc specimens containing an internal hole with varying diameters is measured. The mechanism of cracks propagation in the wall of the ring type specimens is also studied. In the case of multi-hole Brazilian disc, the cracks propagation and b cracks coalescence are also investigated. The results shows that breaking of the pre-holed disc specimens is due to the propagation of radially induced tensile cracks initiated from the surface of the central hole and propagating toward the direction of diametrical loading. In the case of disc specimens with multiple holes, the cracks propagation and cracks coalescence may occur simultaneously in the breaking process of model under diametrical compressive loading. Finally the results shows that the failure stress and crack initiation stress decreases by increasing the hole diameter. Also, the failure stress decreases by increasing the number of hole which mobilized in failure. The results of these simulations were comprised with other experimental and numerical test results. It has been shown that the numerical and experimental results are in good agreement with each other.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.611-620
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• 2018

In this research the effect of bedding layer angle and bedding layer thickness on the shear failure mechanism of concrete has been investigated using PFC3D. For this purpose, firstly calibration of PFC3d was performed using Brazilian tensile strength. Secondly shear test was performed on the bedding layer. Thickness of layers were 5 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm. in each thickness layer, layer angles changes from $0^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ with increment of $25^{\circ}$. Totally 15 model were simulated and tested by loading rate of 0.016 mm/s. The results shows that when layer angle is less than $50^{\circ}$, tensile cracks initiates between the layers and propagate till coalesce with model boundary. Its trace is too high. With increasing the layer angle, less layer mobilize in failure process. Also the failure trace is very short. It's to be note that number of cracks decrease with increasing the layer thickness. The minimum shear test strength was occurred when layer angle is more than $50^{\circ}$. The maximum value occurred in $0^{\circ}$. Also, the shear test tensile strength was increased by increasing the layer thickness.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.507-517
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• 2018

In this research the effect of bedding layer angle and bedding layer thickness on the shear failure mechanism of concrete has been investigated using PFC3D. For this purpose, firstly calibration of PFC3d was performed using Brazilian tensile strength. Secondly punch shear test was performed on the bedding layer. Thickness of layers were 5 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm. in each thickness layer, layer angles changes from $0^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ with increment of $25^{\circ}$. Totally 15 model were simulated and tested by loading rate of 0.016 mm/s. The results show that when layer angle is less than $50^{\circ}$, tensile cracks initiates between the layers and propagate till coalesce with model boundary. Its trace is too high. With increasing the layer angle, less layer mobilizes in failure process. Also, the failure trace is very short. It's to be note that number of cracks decrease with increasing the layer thickness. The minimum shear punch test strength was occurred when layer angle is more than $50^{\circ}$. The maximum value occurred in $0^{\circ}$. Also, the shear punch test tensile strength was increased by increasing the layer thickness.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.5
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• pp.607-619
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• 2023

This study, it was tried to evaluate the asphalt behavior under tensile loading conditions through indirect Brazilian and direct tensile tests, experimentally and numerically. This paper is important from two points of view. The first one, a new test method was developed for the determination of the direct tensile strength of asphalt and its difference was obtained from the indirect test method. The second one, the effects of particle size and loading rate have been cleared on the tensile fracture mechanism. The experimental direct tensile strength of the asphalt specimens was measured in the laboratory using the compression-to-tensile load converting (CTLC) device. Some special types of asphalt specimens were prepared in the form of slabs with a central hole. The CTLC device is then equipped with this specimen and placed in the universal testing machine. Then, the direct tensile strength of asphalt specimens with different sizes of ingredients can be measured at different loading rates in the laboratory. The particle flow code (PFC) was used to numerically simulate the direct tensile strength test of asphalt samples. This numerical modeling technique is based on the versatile discrete element method (DEM). Three different particle diameters were chosen and were tested under three different loading rates. The results show that when the loading rate was 0.016 mm/sec, two tensile cracks were initiated from the left and right of the hole and propagated perpendicular to the loading axis till coalescence to the model boundary. When the loading rate was 0.032 mm/sec, two tensile cracks were initiated from the left and right of the hole and propagated perpendicular to the loading axis. The branching occurs in these cracks. This shows that the crack propagation is under quasi-static conditions. When the loading rate was 0.064 mm/sec, mixed tensile and shear cracks were initiated below the loading walls and branching occurred in these cracks. This shows that the crack propagation is under dynamic conditions. The loading rate increases and the tensile strength increases. Because all defects mobilized under a low loading rate and this led to decreasing the tensile strength. The experimental results for the direct tensile strengths of asphalt specimens of different ingredients were in good accordance with their corresponding results approximated by DEM software.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.5-16
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• 2015

The characteristics of tensile strength of fiber-reinforced grouting (cement paste) injected into rocks or soils were studied. A tensile strength of such materials utilized in civil engineering has been commonly tested by an indirect splitting tensile test (Brazilian test). In this study, a direct tensile testing method was developed with built-in cylinder inside a cylindrical specimen with 15 cm in diameter and 30 cm in height. The testing specimen was prepared with 0%, 0.5%, or 1% (by weight) of a PVA or steel fiber reinforced mortar. A specimen with 5 cm in diameter and 10 cm in height was also prepared and tested for the splitting tensile test. Each specimen was air cured for 7 days or 28 days before testing. The tensile strength of built-in cylinder test showed 96%-290% higher than that of splitting tensile test. The 3D finite element analyses on these tensile tests showed that the tensile strength from built-in cylinder test had was 3 times higher than that of splitting tensile test. It is similar to experimental result. As an amount of fiber increased from 0% to 1%, its tensile strength increased by 119%-190% or 23%-131% for 7 days or 28 days-cured specimens, respectively. As a curing period increased from 7 days to 28 days, its strength decreased. Most specimens reinforced with PVA fiber showed tensile strength 14%-38% higher than that of steel fiber reinforced specimens.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.101-121
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• 1996

The thermomechanical characteristics of rocks such as temperature dependency of strength and deformation were experimentally investigated using Iksan granite, Cheonan tonalite and Chung-ju dolomite for proper design and stability analysis of underground structures subjected to temperature changes. For the temperature below critical threshold temperature $T_c$, the variation of uniaxial compressive strength, Young's modulus, Brazilian tensile strength and cohesion with temperature were slightly different for each rock type, but these mechanical properties decreased at the temperatures above $T_c$ by the effect of thermal cracking. Tensile strength was most affected by $T_c$, and uniaxial compressive strength was least affected by $T_c$. To the temperature of 20$0^{\circ}C$ with the confining prressure to 150 kg/$\textrm{cm}^2$, failure limit on principal stress plane and failure envelope on $\sigma$-$\tau$ plane of Iksan granite were continuously lowered with increasing temperature but those of Cheonan tonalite and Chung-ju dolomite showed different characteristics depending on minor principal stress on principal stress plane and normal stress on $\sigma$-$\tau$ plane. The reason for this appeared to be the effect of rock characteristics and confining pressure. Young's modulus was also temperature and pressure dependent, but the variation of Young's modulus was about 10%, which was small compared to the variation of compressive strength. In general, Young's modulus increased with increasing confining pressure and increased or decreased with increasing temperature to 20$0^{\circ}C$ depending on the rock type.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.1057-1062
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• 2008

In order to investigate a strength anisotrophy of basalt in Cheju Island, rock samples of Pyosenri basalt, trachy-basalt and scoria were taken from Seoguipo-Si Seongsan-Eup area, and a series of uniaxial compressive strength test and Brazilian test were carried out. The strengths were decreased with increasing the moisture contents in rock sample by pore water. As the result of test considering the anisotropy of rock strength, the compressive strength in condition of failure occurred parallel to stratified layer is decreased about 12-26% more than that in condition of failure occurred inclined to stratified layer.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.241-247
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• 2019

In this paper the effect of bedding layer on the failure mechanism of rock in direct shear test has been investigated using particle flow code, PFC. For this purpose, firstly calibration of pfc2d was performed using Brazilian tensile strength. Secondly direct shear test consisting bedding layer was simulated numerically. Thickness of layers was 10 mm and rock bridge length was 10 mm, 40 mm and 60 mm. In each rock bridge length, bedding layer angles changes from $0^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ with increment of $15^{\circ}$. Totally 21 models were simulated and tested. The results show that two types of cracks develop within the model. Shear cracks and tensile cracks. Also failure pattern is affected by bridge length while shear strength is controlled by failure pattern. It's to be noted that bedding layer has not any effect on the failure pattern because the layer interface strength is too high.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.215-225
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• 2008

In order to investigate the influence factors to compressive and tensile strength of basalt in Cheju Island, rock samples of Pyosenri basalt, trachy-basalt and scoria were taken from Seoguipo-Si Seongsan-Eup area, and a series of uniaxial compressive strength test and Brazilian test were carried out. Especially, these tests were performed in consideration of the loading speed, the moisture content in rock sample, and the anisotropy of rock strength. The uniaxial compressive strength was increased gradually as the loading speed rose. The increasing quantity of uniaxial compressive strength had a difference in each rock types. Also, the strength was decreased with increasing the moisture contents in rock sample by pore water. As the result of test considering the anisotropy of rock strength, the compressive strength in condition of failure occurred parallel to stratified layer is decreased about 12-26% more than that in condition of failure occurred inclined to stratified layer.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.57-67
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• 2019

Water-induced strength reduction is one of the most critical causes for rock deformation and failure. Understanding the effects of water on the strength, toughness and deformability of rocks are of a great importance in rock fracture mechanics and design of structures in rock. However, only a few studies have been conducted to understand the effects of water on fracture properties such as fracture toughness, crack propagation velocity, consumed energy, and microstructural damage. Thus, in this study, we focused on the understanding of how microscale damages induced by water saturation affect mesoscale mechanical and fracture properties compared with oven dried specimens along three notch orientations-divider, arrester, and short transverse. The mechanical properties of calcite-cemented sandstone were examined using standard uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) tests. In addition, fracture properties such as fracture toughness, consumed energy and crack propagation velocity were examined with cracked chevron notched Brazilian disk (CCNBD) tests. Digital Image Correlation (DIC), a non-contact optical measurement technique, was used for both strain and crack propagation velocity measurements along the bedding plane orientations. Finally, environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) was employed to investigate the microstructural damages produced in calcite-cemented sandstone specimens before and after CCNBD tests. As results, both mechanical and fracture properties reduced significantly when specimens were saturated. The effects of water on fracture properties (fracture toughness and consumed energy) were predominant in divider specimens when compared with arrester and short transverse specimens. Whereas crack propagation velocity was faster in short transverse and slower in arrester, and intermediate in divider specimens. Based on ESEM data, water in the calcite-cemented sandstone induced microstructural damages (microcracks and voids) and increased the strength disparity between cement/matrix and rock forming mineral grains, which in turn reduced the crack propagation resistance of the rock, leading to lower both consumed energy and fracture toughness ($K_{IC}$).