Strain-rate dependency of the dynamic tensile strength of rock

Dynamic tension tests based on Hopkinson’s effect combined with the spalling phenomena were performed on Inada granite and Tage tuff to investigate the strain-rate dependency of the dynamic tensile strength of rock. The static tensile strengths were determined and compared with the dynamic tensile strengths. The fracture processes under various loading conditions were analyzed using a proposed finite element method to verify the differences between the dynamic and static tensile strengths and the strain-rate dependency. These analyses revealed that the differences were due to the stress concentrations and redistribution mechanisms in the rock. The rock inhomogeneity also contributed to the difference between the dynamic and static tensile strengths. An increase in the uniformity coefficient stimulated a reduction in the strain-rate dependency; i.e., the strain-rate dependency of the dynamic tensile strength was caused by the inhomogeneity of the rock. The fracture processes and principal stress fields in the specimens at high and low strain rates were analyzed to investigate fracture formations at various strain rates. Higher strain rates generated a large number of microcracks; the interaction of the microcracks interfered with the formation of the fracture plane. The observed dynamic tensile strength increase at a high strain rate was caused by crack arrests due to the generation of a large number of microcracks.