Mechanism of brittle fracture of rock

This paper presents results of investigations aimed at establishing a mechanism of brittle fracture of rock in compression and tension. Results of fracture studies on specimens of different shapes and subjected to different loading conditions are presented. Fraction initiation, fracture propagation, strength failure and rupture are discussed. A hypothesis on the mechanism of rock fracture is propounded, all significant failure processes taking place in rock from initial load application to complete failure being dealt with. This paper is published in three parts. Part I deals with the theory of the fracture process while Parts II and III provide experimental verification of the postulated mechanism of brittle fracture of rock.