Rock Failure Mechanisms: Illustrated and Explained

This reference provides the essential knowledge and a clear understanding of the process of rock failure under different conditions. It contains an introductory chapter explaining the role of rock failure in engineering projects plus a summary of the theories governing rock failure and an explanation of the computer simulation method. It subsquently deals in detail with explaining, simulating and illustrating rock failure in laboratory and field. The concluding chapter discusses coupled modelling and the anticipated future directions for this type of computer simulation. An appendix describing the RFPA numerical model (Rock Failure Process Analysis program) is also included.

Introduction Uniaxial tension Indirect tension Uniaxial compression Triaxial compression and shear Loading, unloading and the Kaiser Effect Dynamic loading Effect of heterogeneity Effect of anisotropy Coalescence of fractures Time dependency Water flow Heat flow Slope stability Tunnelling Coal mining and strata movement Gas outbursts Rock cutting Particle breakage and comminution Concluding comments: coupled modelling and the future