Failure pattern of brittle rock governed by initial microcrack characteristics

Fracturing processes of rock are simulated using a micro- and fracture mechanical-based numerical modeling approach. The numerical model considers material heterogeneity and initial microcrack distributions. The gradual formation of macroscopic fractures by coalesced microcracks is successfully reproduced. Distinct failure modes are observed in the model under different loadings. Agreement is shown between the numerical results and laboratory observations. The influence of microcrack orientations on the fracture patterns is quantified by the numerical models. Possible mechanisms describing the splitting failure of hard brittle rocks under uniaxial compression are proposed and discussed.