Simulation Study for Interface Crack Propagation in Layered Salt Rock Subjected to Compress and Shear Load

摘要

In order to study the effects of interlayer strength, interface strength and interface dip angle on the propagation of interface crack in layered salt rock subjected to compress and shear load, traction-separation cohesive behavior is introduced within the framework of extended finite element method (XFEM) to simulate the crack propagation. The Abaqus software is used to simulate the process of crack propagation in layered salt rock with tilted interface and under uniaxial compression. The stimulation results indicate that new cracks which deviate from original crack will appear under compress and shear load. The influences of interlayer type and interface strength on interface crack are mainly in terms of crack length. Meanwhile, the length and initiation angle of crack are both influenced by interface dip angle. The crack length in layered salt rock containing weak interlayer is larger than that of salt rock containing hard interlayer. The increase of interface strength will lead to the increased crack length, while the increased inclination of interface will shorten the length and crack initiation angle.