Numerical simulation on the propagation processes of mixed mode cracks in rock plates

The propagation processes of a mixed mode crack or an echelon crack in marble rock plate and spliced plates of marble and sandstone under uniaxial compression are simulated by using MFPA 2D (Material Failure Process Analysis) Code recently developed by the authors. The results of simulations, which include propagation processes of single mixed crack in single rock plate, single mixed crack in spliced plates of marble and sandstone as well as echelon cracks in single rock plate, are in good agreement with those of experiments.