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Fracture in a heterogeneous medium: a network approach
Author(s) -
Reuschié Thierry
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
terra nova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.353
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-3121
pISSN - 0954-4879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3121.1992.tb00601.x
Subject(s) - coalescence (physics) , fracture mechanics , bond , shear (geology) , materials science , population , fracture (geology) , mechanics , geology , structural engineering , composite material , engineering , physics , demography , finance , sociology , economics , astrobiology
SUMMARY Fracture in a heterogeneous medium is simulated by a network model. Heterogeneity is introduced by randomly distributing an initial population of cracks on a triangular network of bonds. Each ruptured bond represents a crack. External stresses are applied onto the network and the evolution of the crack population is analysed when the stresses are increased. A crack will propagate to an intact bond if the critical crack extension force is reached. This propagation leads to the coalescence of bonds: crack clusters are formed. When their shapes are complex we approximate them by simpler ones to compute a crack extension force. Crack interactions are introduced by adding for a given bond the contributions of all adjacent dusters. By using this kind of approach combining fracture mechanics and network modelling, we are able to simulate the rupture of a rock specimen under compression/ traction or shear stresses and to give some characteristics of the macroscopic fracture.