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An experimental and numerical approach on crack propagation and fracture toughness of Central Straight-through Crack Brazilian Disk (CSCBD) samples under compression is carried out to be investigated the effect of particle size heterogeneity. To accomplish this goal, six type of specimens with different silica sand particle size but same combination are used for preparation CSCBD specimens. Diametrical compression load with a rate of 0.3 mm/min in two directions respect to the central crack orientation is applied to the discs and the failure loads corresponding to the each test are recorded. Also In this study, a numerical simulator based on RFPA (Rock Failure Process Analysis) is used to study the crack propagation path and fracture load in simulated CSCBD specimens with different particle size (Similar laboratory specimens). In this simulator, the heterogeneity of specimens is considered by assuming that the material properties of elements conform to a weibull distribution. Result of laboratory tests indicates a nonlinear relation between specimen’s particle size and mode I and mode II fracture toughness. The specimen whit medial particle size (2-2.38 mm) has the maximum fracture toughness in two fracture mode. Toughness of specimens decreased with increase and decrease of silica sand particle size. Numerical results shows, the trajectory of crack path for fine particle are more regular and initiated from the crack tip, propagate parallel to the load direction. But it’s for coarse particle, initiated from the boundary of grains in whole of the specimen and lead it to failure in an unexpected path. An experimental and numerical approach on crack propagation and fracture toughness of Central Straight-through Crack Brazilian Disk (CSCBD) samples under compression is carried out to be investigated the effect of particle size heterogeneity. To accomplish this goal, six type of specimens with different silica sand particle size but same combination are used for preparation CSCBD specimens. Diametrical compression load with a rate of 0.3 mm/min in two directions respect to the central crack orientation is applied to the discs and the failure loads corresponding to the each test are recorded. Also In this study, a numerical simulator based on RFPA (Rock Failure Process Analysis) is used to study the crack propagation path and fracture load in simulated CSCBD specimens with different particle size (Similar laboratory specimens). In this simulator, the heterogeneity of specimens is considered by assuming that the material properties of elements conform to a weibull distribution. Result of laboratory tests indicates a nonlinear relation between specimen’s particle size and mode I and mode II fracture toughness. The specimen whit medial particle size (2-2.38 mm) has the maximum fracture toughness in two fracture mode. Toughness of specimens decreased with increase and decrease of silica sand particle size. Numerical results shows, the trajectory of crack path for fine particle are more regular and initiated from the crack tip, propagate parallel to the load direction. But it’s for coarse particle, initiated from the boundary of grains in whole of the specimen and lead it to failure in an unexpected path.

Keywords: Fracture toughness, particle size heterogeneity, Rock Failure Process Analysis

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