Effects of Pre-existing Microcracks on the Cracking Process and Damage Mechanism of Hard Rocks via Image-Based DEM Modeling

Key Points

• Microcracks significantly influence the cracking process in hard rocks, demonstrating their critical role in damage mechanisms.
• Analysis of cracking process reveals that the presence of microcracks leads to increased damage in the structural integrity of hard rocks.
• Observational analysis using image-based DEM modeling captures the relationship between microcracks and the resulting damage in rocks.
• Highlights the need to consider microcracks in assessing the durability of hard rocks, with implications for engineering applications.