Influence of microscale heterogeneity and microstructure on the tensile behavior of crystalline rocks

This study investigates the influence of microscale heterogeneity and microcracks on the failure behavior and mechanical response of a crystalline rock. The thin section analysis for obtaining the microcrack density is presented. Using micro X‐ray computed tomography (μCT) scanning of failed laboratory specimens, the influence of heterogeneity and, in particular, biotite grains on the brittle fracture of the specimens is discussed and various failure patterns are characterized. Three groups of numerical simulations are presented, which demonstrate the role of microcracks and the influence of μCT‐based and stochastically generated phase distributions. The mechanical response, stress distribution, and fracturing process obtained by the numerical simulations are also discussed. The simulation results illustrate that heterogeneity and microcracks should be considered to accurately predict the tensile strength and failure behavior of the sample.