Zonal disintegration of deep crack-weakened rock masses: A non-Euclidean model

Rock masses are characterized by the existence of distributed joints and fractures. One of behaviors of the deep rock masses is high in situ stresses. The internal space of rock-like materials subjected to high in situ stresses after deformation is treated as a non-Euclidean one. The incompatible deformation of the deep rock masses is induced by high in situ stresses within the framework of non-Euclidean geometric space. A non-Euclidean model in which effects of cracks on zonal disintegration phenomenon of the deep crack-weakened rock masses is taken into account is established. Based on the non-Euclidean model, the elastic stress-field distribution of the deep surrounding rock masses induced by compatible deformation of non-fractured zones and incompatible deformation of fractured zones is determined. The stress intensity factors at the tips of cracks is given out. The strain energy density factor is applied to investigate the occurrence of disintegration zones. It is observed from the numerical results that the magnitude and site of fractured zones depend on the value of in situ stress, mesomechanical parameters and non-Euclidean parameters.