The effect of indentation sequence on rock breakages: A study based on laboratory and numerical tests

Rock may response differently to external loads applied in different sequences. Thus, we conducted indentation tests to investigate the effect of the indentation sequence on rock breakages. Sequential indentations, consuming less indentation energy, usually resulted in larger and deeper grooves and then led to lower specific energies. Thus, we conclude that sequential indentations occur instead of simultaneous indentations form larger grooves with the same indentation energy. To further validate this conclusion, we performed a series of numerical tests. The numerical analysis of stress evolution shows that, for simultaneous indentations, the propagation of an internal crack from an inner rim restrained the propagation of the other internal crack from the other inner rim. However, the chipping pattern varied for sequential indentations. In the first indentation process, an internal crack, initiating from an inner rim, is usually connected with an internal crack caused by the second indentation. The deflection angles of the internal cracks for the sequential indentations were smaller because of the lower compressive stress in the horizontal direction. Then, these smaller deflection angles led to larger chips.