Numerical investigation on cracking behavior of granite with intersecting two-flaws: A flat-joint modeling method

Abstract In practical rock engineering, it is of considerable significance for the study of mechanical behavior of rock containing flaws. The uniaxial compression failure mechanism of granite containing intersecting two-flaws is investigated through the flat-joint modeling approach. The flat-joint model is introduced briefly, and numerical models of intact granite specimens are established. After that, a series of micro-parameters are confirmed by comparison with the laboratory tests of intact granite specimen. Then uniaxial compression simulations are conducted on granites with intersecting two-flaws. The numerically simulated results show good consistency with laboratory tests, including the strength properties, deformation properties, and failure modes. The strength and deformation characteristics of the granites are dependent on the relative position length. Furthermore, the relationship between the crack evolution process and the stress-strain curves for the specimens is studied concerning the relative position length. Finally, the crack propagation mechanism and cracking type of granite specimens are revealed by analyzing the micro-force field.