Deformation Behavior and Fracture Mechanisms of Rocks

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine from the literature what is known about the deformation behavior and fracture mechanisms of intact, fractured, and jointed rocks. The literature indicates the following: The mechanical properties of an intact rock are not unique; rather, they vary with mineral composition, grain size, state of stress, and strain rate. Deformation behavior and fracture mechanisms of an intact rock are characterized by crack growth and deformation of the constituent grains. Dilatancy of an intact rock under compression is associated with shear stress. Fractured rock can still carry load. Deformation of a fractured rock tends to concentrate along the major discontinuities. Furthermore, deformation of a jointed material is characterized by slip along joints, interlocking of the intact blocks, and fracturing of the intact blocks. Under a given state of stress, the stiffness and the strength of a fractured or jointed rock are generally lower than those for the intact rock.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1973
Accession Number
AD0762410

Entities

People

  • T. K. Lew

Organizations

  • Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil Engineering
  • Discontinuities
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Geometry
  • Grain Size
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Mechanics
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Shear Stresses
  • Stiffness
  • Strain Rate
  • Stress Strain Relations
  • Stresses

Fields of Study

  • Geology

Readers

  • Geotechnical Engineering.
  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.