Zonal fracturing mechanism in deep crack-weakened rock masses

The mechanical behaviors of deep crack-weakened rock masses are different from those of shallow crack-weakened rock masses. The surrounding rock in shallow crack-weakened rock mass engineering is classified into loose zone, plastic zone and elastic zone, while the surrounding rock in deep crack-weakened rock mass engineering is classified into fractured zone and non-fractured zone, which occur alternatively. It is assumed that the deep rock masses contain one joint set, in which the probability density function describing the distribution of sizes is assumed to follow the Rayleigh distribution, and the probability density function describing the distribution of spacing is assumed to follow the Weibull distribution. On the basis of strength criterion of deep rock mass, the near-field stress redistribution around circular opening induced by excavation is determined. The strong interaction among cracks is investigated by using the dislocation model. The nucleation, growth, interaction and coalescence of cracks were analyzed based on the strain energy density factor theory. When cracks coalesce, failure of deep crack-weakened rock masses occurs, fractured zone is formed. Then, size and quantity of fractured zone and non-fractured zone are given out. The size and quantity of fractured zone increase with decreasing strength of rock mass. The size and quantity of fractured zone increase with increasing in situ stress. Zonal fracturing phenomenon occurs once value of in situ stress is larger than the unaxial compressive strength of rock masses. The size and quantity of fractured zone decrease with increasing λ when p₂ > p₁. The size and quantity of fractured zone increase with increasing λ when p₂ < p₁.