Source analysis of acoustic emissions in Aue granite cores under symmetric and asymmetric compressive loads

The effect of stress anisotropy on the brittle failure of granite is investigated under uniaxial compression. Non-standard asymmetric compression tests are performed on cores of Aue granite (diameter 52 mm, length 100 mm), in which 20 per cent of the core top surface remains unloaded. The edge of the asymmetric steel loading plate acts as a stress concentrator, from where a shear rupture is initiated. The propagation of the fracture-related...