Effects of Grain Scale Heterogeneity on Rock Strength and the Chipping Process

Abstract

Heterogeneity is an important factor controlling fracture initiation, accumulation, and propagation within polycrystalline rock. Internal spatial variability in terms of mineralogy, grain size, and anisotropy affect the yielding process. To investigate these factors, a texture-generating algorithm integrated within a numerical model was developed to create realistic rock analogs and provide user control over geological characteristics including mineral type, grain size, and anisotropic crystal shape. A mineral-specific constitutive model was created and calibrated using published values and real laboratory strength values. Brazilian tensile strength and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) model tests were developed using the finite-difference modeling software