Study of rock splitting failure based on griffith strength theory

It is argued here that often-cited result that the Griffith theory leads to a uniaxial compressive strength that is twelve times greater than uniaxial tensile strength is erroneous. A uniaxial compressive load can lead to the maximum tensile stress at longitudinal crack tips when the ratio of minor axis to major axis of the Griffith's crack is finitely small, but it is smaller than the maximum tensile stress of inclined crack under the same pressure. According to the characteristics of the maximum tensile stress distribution on the perimeter of the Griffith's crack, and the splitting characteristics of rock failure process, the conditions of axial splitting failure of rock specimens are proposed, and the mechanism of splitting fracturing of rock specimens is clarified as well.