Evaluation of brittle fracturing in the sedimentary rock through laboratory analysis and computer simulation

Abstract

Estimation of the mechanical responses of a sample of rock is a critical characteristic to estimate the responses of rock strata under stress. In this paper, laboratory tests analysis and numerical modelling are used to analyse and replicate intact rock materials. Laboratory and petrographical analyses were undertaken to characterise the brittle response to the uniaxial loading of selected sedimentary samples. Complementary numerical modelling of virtual uniaxial compression tests is carried out using 3DEC software. These models were developed through a Grain Based Model capable of reproducing brittle failure of rocks, for which Voronoi 3D tessellation was generated. Failure mechanisms observed in laboratory and non-linear behaviour due to fracture propagation have been reproduced. Virtual modelling of intact rock with Discrete Element Code would allow, in combination with Discrete Fracture Networks, the numerical analysis of rock mass scale effects and anisotropy through Synthetic Rock Mass (SRM) modelling.