Numerical simulations of propagation, bifurcation and coalescence of cracks in rocks

• The propagation process of fractures are simulated using peridynamic theory.
• The effects of array of multiple flaws on the propagation process are studied.
• The interactions between macroflaws and microflaws are investigated.

Propagation process of pre-existing flaws in brittle rock materials are simulated using peridynamic theory, in which it is assumed that particles in a continuum interact with each other across a finite distance. Since damage is incorporated at the level of these two particle interactions in peridynamic theory, localization and fracture of materials occur as a natural outgrowth of equations of motion and constitutive models. Numerical simulations of notched semi-circular bend (NSCB) tests and mix mode fracture in a tension–shear rock sample are performed. The effects of array of multiple pre-existing flaws on the propagation process in rock-like materials subjected to uniaxial tensile loads are investigated. The propagation process of macroflaws and microflaws in rock-like materials subjected to uniaxial tensile loads are simulated.The failure modes of rock sample containing the different array of pre-existing flaws are studied. It is found that the present numerical results obtained from peridynamic theory are in good agreement with the previous experimental and numerical results.