Analysis of notch effect on the fracture behaviour of granite and limestone: An approach from the Theory of Critical Distances

•The notch effect is analysed in granite and limestone.•The Theory of Critical Distances is applied to fracture analysis of granite and limestone.•The corresponding critical distances are obtained.•Notch effect in limestone is noticeable, whereas it is very limited in granite.

This paper presents the analysis of the notch effect on granite and limestone fracture specimens. The research is based on the results obtained in an experimental programme composed of 84 fracture specimens, combining the two materials and 7 different notch radii varying from 0.15 mm up to 10 mm. The notch effect is analysed through the evolution of the apparent fracture toughness and the application of the Theory of the Critical Distances.The results reveal a significant notch effect in the limestone, whereas the notch effect in the granite is negligible for the range of notch radii analysed. Both observations are justified by the corresponding critical distance of the material.