Progressive failure constitutive model of fracture plane in geomaterial based on strain strength distribution

Progressive failure constitutive model of fracture plane in geomaterial based on strain strength distribution is proposed. The basic assumption is that strain strength of geomaterial comply with a certain distribution law in space. Failure of tensile fracture plane and shear fracture plane in representative volume element (RVE) with iso-strain are discussed, and generalized failure constitutive model of fracture plane in RVE is established considering combined effect of tension and shear. Fracture plane consists of elastic microplanes and fractured microplanes. Elastic microplanes are intact parts of the fracture plane, and fractured microplanes are the rest parts of the fracture plane whose strain have ever exceeded their strain strength. Interaction mode on elastic microplanes maintains linear elasticity, while on fractured microplanes it turns into contact and complies with Coulomb’s friction law. Intact factor and fracture factor are defined to describe damage state of the fracture plane which can be easily expressed with cumulative integration of distribution density function of strain strength. Strong nonlinear macroscopic behavior such as yielding and strain softening can be naturally obtained through statistical microstructural damage of fracture plane due to distribution of strain strength. Elastic–brittle fracture model and ideal elastoplastic model are special cases of this model when upper and lower limit of distribution interval are equal.

► Progressive failure process of material due to strain strength distribution.
► Fracture caused by combined effect of tension and shear is discussed.
► Fracture plane is composed of elastic microplanes and fractured microplanes.
► Statistical fracture of microplanes and mesoscopic interactions.