LAUSR

Abstract To further investigate the macroscopic failure law of fractured rock mass, we have performed investigations on the initiation mechanism of microcracks in fractured rock mass from the perspective of micromechanics. The failure of fractured rock mass is essentially due to the accumulation of energy between rock particles to a certain extent, which triggers a series of micro-failure events. In this paper, the theory of moment tensor is introduced to simulate acoustic emission events of rock-like specimens with pre-existing double parallel flaws during the failure process, and the mechanism of micro-failure events and their influence on macro-failure are investigated in depth from the perspective of meso-mechanics. Consequently, a set of macro-micro criteria is established to determine and distinguish the properties and types of cracks. In addition, it is also found that the stress state of rock particles determines the type and propagation direction of cracks. By analyzing the changes in the stress field in the vicinity of cracks, it is feasible to effectively analyze the initiation mechanism of different types of cracks and the trend of further propagation.