Numerical investigation of the progressive fracture mechanisms of four ISRM-suggested specimens for determining the mode I fracture toughness of rocks

The International Society for Rock Mechanics has suggested four methods to measure the mode I fracture toughness of rocks; however, the fracture behaviours of the suggested specimens are not fully understood, and the ideal crack growth hypotheses made in fracture toughness calculations have not been thoroughly assessed. In this study, for the first time, the progressive fracture mechanisms of all ISRM-suggested specimens are numerically...