ABSTRACT
A micromechanical continuum model based on mechanics of tensile microcracks, is presented for brittle failure of rock containing randomly distributed microcracks. The proposed model describes both the mechanical response of rock and microcracks geometry evolution under compression. By generalizing the results obtained from the analysis of one single microcrack and including the effects of interaction among neighboring microcracks, this model for brittle rock under compression is derived. In order to illustrate the predictive capability of the proposed model for mechanical properties of rock and microcracks geometry evolution under compression, the model is applied to Inada granite. Numerical results are compared with experimental data from triaxial compression tests and microscopic observations of microcracks on Inada granite. The predicted strength for Inada granite of proposed model is in good agreement with experimental data. Moreover, microcracks geometry evolution is correctly described by this model.
