Numerical Investigation of Brittleness Effect on Strength and Microcracking Behavior of Crystalline Rock
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22, Issue 10
Abstract
Brittleness has a significant influence on rock failure under compression; however, the mechanism is rarely comprehensively discussed. This study numerically investigates the brittleness effect on microcracking behavior of crystalline rock using a grain-based model implemented into a two-dimensional particle flow code, with a focus on the discussion of how rock brittleness affects the failure mechanism. The simulated failure mode changes from tension to shear with decreasing rock brittleness, which is consistent with previous laboratory test results. As the brittleness gradually decreases in the model, the grain boundary (GB) tensile crack to shear crack ratio increases, and the corresponding fractures change from vertical or subvertical to an angle about 45° along the vertical direction. The propagation and coalescence of generated microcracks result in a transition of failure pattern from splitting to shear under uniaxial compression with a decreasing brittleness level in the rock. A transition from GB tensile crack to shear crack is also observed under direct tension when the brittleness index gradually decreases. The tension to shear transition mechanism is closely related to the relative strength of the mineral grain and mineral bonding. The relative strength of mineral and mineral bonding could be used as a parameter to characterize rock brittleness from a microscale viewpoint.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The research work presented in this paper is in part supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51609178), the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (Grant No. 2018CFB593), Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province (Grant No. 2008085QE221), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant Nos. 2015M582273 and 2018T110800), the Open-end Research Fund of the State Key Laboratory for GeoMechanics and Deep Underground Engineering (Grant No. SKLGDUEK1709), and Key Project of Higher Education Department of Anhui Province (Grant No. KJ2020A0235). The authors are grateful for these financial supports.
References
Bahrani, N., and P. K. Kaiser. 2016. “Numerical investigation of the influence of specimen size on the unconfined strength of defected rocks.” Comput. Geotech. 77: 56–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.04.004.
Bahrani, N., P. K. Kaiser, and B. Valley. 2014. “Distinct element method simulation of an analogue for a highly interlocked, non-persistently jointed rockmass.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 71: 117–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2014.07.005.
Basu, A., D. A. Mishra, and K. Roychowdhury. 2013. “Rock failure modes under uniaxial compression, Brazilian, and point load tests.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 72 (3): 457–475. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-013-0505-4.
Bewick, R. P., P. K. Kaiser, and W. F. Bawden. 2014a. “DEM simulation of direct shear: 2. Grain boundary and mineral grain strength component influence on shear rupture.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 47 (5): 1673–1692. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0494-4.
Bewick, R. P., P. K. Kaiser, W. F. Bawden, and N. Bahrani. 2014b. “DEM simulation of direct shear: 1. Rupture under constant normal stress boundary conditions.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 47 (5): 1647–1671. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0490-8.
Byerlee, J. D. 1968. “Brittle-ductile transition in rocks.” J. Geophys. Res. 73 (14): 4741–4750. https://doi.org/10.1029/JB073i014p04741.
Cai, M. 2010. “Practical estimates of tensile strength and hoek–brown strength parameter m i of brittle rocks.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 43 (2): 167–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-009-0053-1.
Chen, G., W. Jiang, X. Sun, C. Zhao, and C. A. Qin. 2019. “Quantitative evaluation of rock brittleness based on crack initiation stress and complete stress–strain curves.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 78 (8): 5919–5936. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01486-2.
Cho, N., C. D. Martin, and D. C. Sego. 2007. “A clumped particle model for rock.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 44 (7): 997–1010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2007.02.002.
Chong, Z., Q. Yao, X. Li, L. Zhu, and C. Tang. 2020. “Effect of rock brittleness on propagation of hydraulic fractures in shale reservoirs with bedding-planes.” Energy Sci. Eng. 8 (7): 2352–2370. https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.669.
Cundall, P. A. 1971. “A computer model for simulating progressive, large scale movements in blocky rock systems.” In Proc., Int. Symp. on Rock Fracture, 129–136. Nancy: ISRM.
Dursun, A. E., and M. K. Gokay. 2016. “Cuttability assessment of selected rocks through different brittleness values.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 49 (4): 1173–1190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-015-0810-2.
Fredrich, J. T., B. Evans, and T. F. Wong. 1989. “Micromechanics of the brittle to plastic transition in Carrara marble.” J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 94 (B4): 4129–4145. https://doi.org/10.1029/JB094iB04p04129.
Gao, F., D. Stead, and D. Elmo. 2016. “Numerical simulation of microstructure of brittle rock using a grain-breakable distinct element grain-based model.” Comput. Geotech. 78: 203–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.05.019.
Gao, Q., Y. Cheng, S. Han, C. Yan, and L. Jiang. 2019. “Numerical modeling of hydraulic fracture propagation behaviors influenced by pre-existing injection and production wells.” J. Petrol. Sci. Eng. 172: 976–987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2018.09.005.
Goktan, R. M. 1991. “Brittleness and micro-scale rock cutting efficiency.” Min. Sci. Technol. 13 (3): 237–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-9031(91)90339-E.
Gong, Q. M., and J. Zhao. 2007. “Influence of rock brittleness on TBM penetration rate in Singapore granite.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 22 (3): 317–324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2006.07.004.
Guo, P., J. Gu, Y. Su, J. Wang, and Z. Ding. 2021. “Effect of cyclic wetting–drying on tensile mechanical behavior and microstructure of clay-bearing sandstone.” Int. J. Coal Sci. Technol. 8 (5): 956–968. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-020-00403-3.
Hajiabdolmajid, V., and P. Kaiser. 2003. “Brittleness of rock and stability assessment in hard rock tunneling.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 18 (1): 35–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0886-7798(02)00100-1.
Heidari, M., G. R. Khanlari, M. Torabi-Kaveh, S. Kargarian, and S. Saneie. 2014. “Effect of porosity on rock brittleness.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 47 (2): 785–790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0400-0.
Hofmann, H., T. Babadagli, J. S. Yoon, A. Zang, and G. Zimmermann. 2015a. “A grain based modeling study of mineralogical factors affecting strength, elastic behavior and micro fracture development during compression tests in granites.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 147: 261–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2015.09.008.
Hofmann, H., T. Babadagli, and G. Zimmermann. 2015b. “A grain based modeling study of fracture branching during compression tests in granites.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 77: 152–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2015.04.008.
Hucka, V., and B. Das. 1974. “Brittleness determination of rocks by different methods.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr. 11 (10): 389–392. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(74)91109-7.
Kahraman, S. 2002. “Correlation of TBM and drilling machine performances with rock brittleness.” Eng. Geol. 65 (4): 269–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-7952(01)00137-5.
Kim, B. H., G. Walton, M. K. Larson, and S. Berry. 2021. “Investigation of the anisotropic confinement-dependent brittleness of a Utah coal.” Int. J. Coal Sci. Technol. 8 (2): 274–290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-020-00364-7.
Lai, J., G. W. Wang, L. X. Huang, W. L. Li, Y. Ran, D. Wang, Z. L. Zhou, and J. Chen. 2015. “Brittleness index estimation in a tight shaly sandstone reservoir using well logs.” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 27: 1536–1545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2015.10.020.
Li, X. F., Q. B. Zhang, H. B. Li, and J. Zhao. 2018a. “Grain-based discrete element method (GB-DEM) modelling of multi-scale fracturing in rocks under dynamic loading.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 51 (12): 3785–3817. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-018-1566-2.
Li, Z., L. Li, M. Li, L. Zhang, Z. Zhang, B. Huang, and C. Tang. 2018b. “A numerical investigation on the effects of rock brittleness on the hydraulic fractures in the shale reservoir.” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 50: 22–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2017.09.013.
Liu, B., Y. Zhao, C. Zhang, J. Zhou, Y. Li, and Z. Sun. 2021. “Characteristic strength and acoustic emission properties of weakly cemented sandstone at different depths under uniaxial compression.” Int. J. Coal Sci. Technol. 8 (6): 1288–1301. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-021-00462-0.
Liu, G., W. Sun, S. M. Lowinger, Z. Zhang, M. Huang, and J. Peng. 2019. “Coupled flow network and discrete element modeling of injection-induced crack propagation and coalescence in brittle rock.” Acta Geotech. 14 (3): 843–868. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-018-0682-1.
Meng, F., L. N. Y. Wong, and H. Zhou. 2021. “Rock brittleness indices and their applications to different fields of rock engineering: A review.” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng. 13 (1): 221–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2020.06.008.
Munoz, H., A. Taheri, and E. K. Chanda. 2016. “Rock drilling performance evaluation by an energy dissipation based rock brittleness index.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 49 (8): 3343–3355. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-0986-0.
Paterson, M. S., and T. Wong. 2005. Experimental rock deformation - The brittle field. 2nd ed. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
Peng, J., G. Rong, M. Cai, M. D. Yao, and C. B. Zhou. 2016. “Physical and mechanical behaviors of a thermal-damaged coarse marble under uniaxial compression.” Eng. Geol. 200: 88–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2015.12.011.
Peng, J., L. N. Y. Wong, G. Liu, and C. I. Teh. 2019. “Influence of initial micro-crack damage on strength and micro-cracking behavior of an intrusive crystalline rock.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 78 (4): 2957–2971. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1317-3.
Peng, J., L. N. Y. Wong, and C. I. Teh. 2017a. “Influence of grain size heterogeneity on strength and micro-cracking behavior of crystalline rocks.” J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 122 (2): 1054–1073. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JB013469.
Peng, J., L. N. Y. Wong, and C. I. Teh. 2017b. “Effects of grain size-to-particle size ratio on micro-cracking behavior using a bonded-particle grain-based model.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 100: 207–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2017.10.004.
Peng, J., L. N. Y. Wong, and C. I. Teh. 2018a. “A re-examination of slenderness ratio effect on rock strength: Insights from DEM grain-based modelling.” Eng. Geol. 246: 245–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.10.003.
Peng, J., L. N. Y. Wong, and C. I. Teh. 2021a. “Influence of grain size on strength of polymineralic crystalline rock: New insights from DEM grain-based modeling.” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng. 13 (4): 755–766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.01.011.
Peng, J., L. N. Y. Wong, C. I. Teh, and Z. Li. 2018b. “Modeling micro-cracking behavior of Bukit Timah granite using grain-based model.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 51 (1): 135–154. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-017-1316-x.
Peng, J., L. N. Y. Wong, and Y. Zhang. 2021b. “Influence of pore-like flaws on strength and microcracking behavior of crystalline rock.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech. 45 (4): 521–539. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.3171.
Phuor, T., I. S. H. Harahap, and C. Y. Ng. 2022. “Bearing capacity factors for rough conical footing by viscoplasticity finite-element analysis.” Int. J. Geomech. 22 (1): 04021266. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0002256.
Phuor, T., I. S. Harahap, C. Y. Ng, and M. A. M. Al-Bared. 2021. “Development of the skew boundary condition for soil-structure interaction in three-dimensional finite element analysis.” Comput. Geotech. 137: 104264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104264.
Potyondy, D. O. 2010. “A grain-based model for rock: approaching the true microstructure.” In Proc., Rock Mechanics in the Nordic Countries. Kongsberg, Norway: Norwegian Group for Rock Mechanics.
Potyondy, D. O., and P. A. Cundall. 2004. “A bonded-particle model for rock.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 41 (8): 1329–1364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.09.011.
Shimizu, H., T. Ito, T. Tamagawa, and K. Tezuka. 2018. “A study of the effect of brittleness on hydraulic fracture complexity using a flow-coupled discrete element method.” J. Petrol. Sci. Eng. 160: 372–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2017.10.064.
Wang, J. A., and H. D. Park. 2001. “Comprehensive prediction of rockburst based on analysis of strain energy in rocks.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 16 (1): 49–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0886-7798(01)00030-X.
Wong, L. N. Y., and J. Peng. 2020. “Numerical investigation of micro-cracking behavior of brittle rock containing a pore-like flaw under uniaxial compression.” Int. J. Damage Mech. 29 (10): 1543–1568. https://doi.org/10.1177/1056789520914700.
Wong, L. N. Y., J. Peng, and C. I. Teh. 2018. “Numerical investigation of mineralogical composition effect on strength and micro-cracking behavior of crystalline rocks.” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 53: 191–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2018.03.004.
Wu, S., and X. Xu. 2016. “A study of three intrinsic problems of the classic discrete element method using flat-joint model.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 49 (5): 1813–1830. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-015-0890-z.
Yao, M., G. Rong, C. Zhou, and J. Peng. 2016. “Effects of thermal damage and confining pressure on the mechanical properties of coarse marble.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 49 (6): 2043–2054. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-0916-1.
Yarali, O., and E. Soyer. 2011. “The effect of mechanical rock properties and brittleness on drillability.” Sci. Res. Essays 6 (5): 1077–1088. https://doi.org/10.5897/SRE10.1004.
Zhang, D., P. G. Ranjith, and M. S. A. Perera. 2016. “The brittleness indices used in rock mechanics and their application in shale hydraulic fracturing: A review.” J. Petrol. Sci. Eng. 143: 158–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2016.02.011.
Zhang, Y., L. N. Y. Wong, and K. K. Chan. 2019. “An extended grain-based model accounting for microstructures in rock deformation.” J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 124 (1): 125–148. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JB016165.
Zhong, W., J. Ouyang, D. Yang, X. Wang, Z. Guo, and K. Hu. 2021. “Effect of the in situ leaching solution of ion-absorbed rare earth on the mechanical behavior of basement rock.” J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.12.002.
Zhou, J., L. Zhang, D. Yang, A. Braun, and Z. Han. 2017. “Investigation of the quasi-brittle failure of alashan granite viewed from laboratory experiments and grain-based discrete element modeling.” Materials 10 (7): 835. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma10070835.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22 • Issue 10 • October 2022
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 15, 2021
Accepted: Apr 27, 2022
Published online: Jul 28, 2022
Published in print: Oct 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Dec 28, 2022
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Brittleness
- Continuum mechanics
- Cracking
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Failure analysis
- Failure modes
- Forensic engineering
- Fracture mechanics
- Geology
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Grain (material)
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Minerals
- Numerical analysis
- Rocks
- Soil mechanics
- Soil properties
- Solid mechanics
- Structural engineering
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Ali Roshani, Mazaher Ramazani, Mehdi Naderi, Hossein Jamali, Majid Tavoosi, Ehsan Mohammad Sharifi, Mohammad Reza Loghman Estarki, The effect of the amount and size of alumina sintering aid particles on some mechanical properties and microstructure of silicon carbide bulky pieces via spark plasma sintering, International Journal of Materials Research, 10.1515/ijmr-2022-0356, 0, 0, (2023).
- Syed Bilawal Ali Shah, Syed Haider Ali Shah, Manabendra Nath, 1-D basin modeling, 3-D reservoir mapping and source rock generative potential of Balkassar oilfield, Potwar basin, Pakistan, Petroleum Science and Technology, 10.1080/10916466.2023.2175866, (1-25), (2023).
- Syed Bilawal Ali Shah, Evaluation of mixed organic-rich carbonate and shale rocks of Meyal oilfield using an integrated palynofacies, geochemical and petrophysical approaches, Petroleum Science and Technology, 10.1080/10916466.2023.2175864, (1-25), (2023).
- Huiliang Gao, Hussein Humedy Chlib Alkaaby, Safa K. Hachim, Holya A. Lafta, Musaddak Maher Abdul Zahra, Zainab Sabri Abbas, Munthir Mohammed Radhy AL Kubaisy, Ahmed Mahdi Rheima, Kadhum Al-Majdi, Marwah A. Shams, M.R.L. Estarki, S. Haghpanah, Investigation of mechanical properties and transparency of spark plasma sintered Mg2+ and Y3+ codoped α-Al2O3 nanoparticles synthesized via coprecipitation, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.01.020, 23, (1052-1061), (2023).
- Zhiju Zhao, Chenglin Wang, Liqin Yang, Yanping Cheng, Zhenyu Cai, M. Zarezadeh Mehrizi, Microstructure and properties of NiAl/TiC composite synthesized by spark plasma sintering of mechanically activated elemental powders, Ceramics International, 10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.01.163, (2023).