Experimental Evaluation of the Influences of Water on the Fracture Toughness of Mudstones with Bedding

The effect of water on fracture toughness in various modes of mudstones was investigated using semicircular bend (SCB) specimens exposed to three-point bendings. Natural mudstone specimens are obtained using a special coring method and are then classified into three types (A, B, and C) corresponding to three directions/configurations of bedding planes (divider, arrester, and transverse). The results show that the Type A (divider configuration)...