Simulation of fracture in compression using a field-theory model
Abstract
Compressive fracture in rock is simulated and analyzed in terms of crack patterns and crack strain energy. Results indicate that initially cracks are randomly located and non-interacting. When -10% of the sites are cracked, crack interaction becomes important and clusters of cracked sites form and extend. Finally, a few critical connecting cracks form and link the clusters to cause failure.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Rock Mechanics and Modeling
Geotechnical and Geomechanical Engineering
Landslides and related hazards
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Rock Mechanics
- Publisher
- CRC Press
- Volume
- 95
- Pages
- 873–878
- Publication date
- 18 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter