Numerical modelling of sandstone uniaxial compression test using a mix-mode cohesive fracture model

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive mix-mode cohesive fracture model for sandstone that accounts for tension, compression, and shear, validated through numerical simulations of uniaxial compression tests.

Contribution

It presents a novel cohesive fracture model incorporating elastic and inelastic displacements, implemented in UDEC for simulating rock failure.

Findings

Model accurately simulates sandstone failure behavior.

Successfully verified with tension and shear tests.

Capable of representing combined failure modes.

Abstract

A mix-mode cohesive fracture model considering tension, compression and shear material behaviour is presented, which has wide applications to geotechnical problems. The model considers both elastic and inelastic displacements. Inelastic displacement comprises fracture and plastic displacements. The norm of inelastic displacement is used to control the fracture behaviour. Meantime, a failure function describing the fracture strength is proposed. Using the internal programming FISH, the cohesive fracture model is programmed into a hybrid distinct element algorithm as encoded in Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC). The model is verified through uniaxial tension and direct shear tests. The developed model is then applied to model the behaviour of a uniaxial compression test on Gosford sandstone. The modelling results indicate that the proposed cohesive fracture model is capable of simulating combined failure behaviour applicable to rock.