ABSTRACT
The paper outlines a view on the mechanisms of deformation and fracture of rocks, the studies of which were carried out in the laboratories of the St. Petersburg Mining University. The concept of rock fracturing is presented, which is based on mixed fracturing of the medium by shearing and splitting and a physical model of rocks deformation and fracture is proposed. The results of laboratory studies were summarized in the form of a rock strength criteria, which later was called the Stavrogin strength criterion. This criterion included a number of analytical equations for limiting elastic, peak and residual states in the form of equations of exponential type. Implementation of the Stavrogin physical model in the framework of the method of finite-discrete elements is presented. Analytical and numerical methods for solving elastoplastic problems using exponential and other conditions of the limiting state of rocks are presented.
