Micromechanical and microstructural aspects affecting rock damage, ‎fracture and cutting mechanisms

Abstract

Mechanical excavation machines have been widely employed in the excavation of soft to medium strength rock materials. These machines have also been utilised in civil tunnelling and subway construction and in driving mine openings such as drifts, ventilation shafts, and raises. They are also used to excavate micro-tunnels for public utilities and to install pipes underground. Unlike other engineering materials, rocks can be a challenge to deal with as they include different types of inhomogeneities and discontinuities. That is why understanding the microfracturing behaviour of a rock damage process is important to investigate the mechanical responses of rocks to various loading conditions.Hard-rock cutting is achieved by the coalescence of micro-and macro-fracturing in a rock material leading to rock chips. That is why this research aims to identify microstructural features (scale and mode of fracture) and mineralogical features (mineral phases and fabric/texture) affecting rock breakage, and the changes in the compressive and tensile strength of rock under various loading Publications During CandidaturePeer-reviewed journal papers: 1.Ghamgosar, M., Erarslan, N. & Williams, D. J. (2016). Experimental investigation of fracture process zone in rocks damaged under cyclic loadings.