Detection of cracking and damage mechanisms in brittle granites by moment tensor analysis of acoustic emission signals

An acoustic emission (AE) testing of rock cracking was performed under uniaxial loading conditions by precut varisized circular holes in selected brittle granites. Based on AE-source location technique and AE-theory for moment tensor analysis, rules of the temporal–spatial evolution of micro-cracks in different failure mechanisms were explored and types of micro-cracks were analyzed as well. The results revealed that the micro-cracks are uniquely easy to generate in the positions where stress are concentrated. Tensile fractures are easy to form on the roof and floor of a circular hole, while shear fractures are easy to be found on both sides. The locations of initial cracks generated around the holes in the loading process are the direction or vertical direction of maximum principle stress. Macroscopic crack orientation agrees with the direction of maximum principle stress approximately. As the size of circular opening increases and the relative size of pillar decreases, shear cracks are dominant with the percentage more than 45%, tension cracks are fewer, accounted for less than 40% of the total events, and mixed-mode cracks represent a minimum proportion, despite the decrease of percentage of shear cracks. The findings of this work can serve for supporting design of tunnel or roadway to avoid collapse.