Quasi-static loading rate effects on fracture process zone development of mixed-mode (I-II) fractures in rock-like materials

The development of a fracture process zone (FPZ) (microcrack zone) ahead of a fracture tip is a prominent fracture characteristic of rock-like materials. At present, understanding of the quasi-static loading-rate effect on the FPZ development of a mixed-mode (I-II) fracture remains challenging for rock-like materials. In this paper, the centrally cracked Brazilian disk (CCBD) specimens of artificial rock-like materials were tested to create...