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.