TITLE:
Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation Using Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) Combined with Cohesive Zone Model (CZM), of Crack Growth Induced by Non-Explosive Expansive Material on Two Neighboring Circular Holes of A Gneiss Rock
AUTHORS:
Frank Ferry Kamgue Tiam, Raïdandi Danwe, Noël Konaï, Lucien Meva’a
KEYWORDS:
Crack Growth, XFEM, Gneiss, Holes Spacing
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.10 No.10,
October
10,
2020
ABSTRACT: The
Non-explosive expansion material (NEEM) is a method more environmentally
friendly than the harmful conventional rock fracturing techniques. However, it
is slower and very costly. Thus, any means of economizing their use is very
desirable. This paper investigates the crack growth between two neighboring
holes of a gneiss rock internally pressurized by NEEM mixed with water with the
aim to evaluate the influence of holes spacing (center-to-center distance), on
the initiation and growth of cracks. Field experimental results reveal that
crack starts earlier and grows faster with increasing ambient temperature. But
when the ambient temperature is above 28°C, the NEEM is “blown out” of the
holes. At these ambient temperatures, the surrounding rocks are hot and cannot
dissipate efficiently the heat generated by the hydration reaction. The best
filling time was found to be in the evening when the daily hot temperature has
drooped. The time to first crack increases as hole diameter decreases. The 3D numerical
modeling and simulation of crack growth between two neighboring holes
internally pressurized by NEEM using ABAQUS (XFEM/CZM) software shows a good agreement with the
theoretical and experimental results.