Hybrid finite-discrete element modelling of rock fracture during conventional compressive and tensile strength tests under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions

Abstract

A hybrid finite-discrete element method is proposed to model the rock fracture under various loading conditions. The key component of the hybrid method, i.e. transition from continuum to discontinuum through fracture and fragmentation, is introduced in detail. An empirical relationship between the static strengths and the dynamic strengths derived from the dynamic rock fracture experiments is implemented in the hybrid method to model the effect of loading rate. The hybrid method is calibrated by modelling the Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) test, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and notched Brazilian dis tests. Then the hybrid method is employed to model the dynamic rock fracture process in UCS and BTS tests. The proposed method has well modelled the dynamic rock fracture and fragmentation processes and captured the effect of loading rate on rock strengths. It is concluded that the hybrid finite-discrete element is a valuable tool to study the dynamic rock fracture as it takes the advantages of the continuum and discontinuum based method, and considers the effect of loading rate.