Dynamic fracture behavior of rock tunnel under impact loading: Insights from experiments and peridynamic simulations
Peng Ying, Yu Zhao, Junchen Zhang, Weijian Li*, Yiqiang Zhao, Zheming Zhu, Yanliang Du
Deep Resources Engineering. 2025, 2(3): 100206. 
doi.org10.1016j.deepre.2025.100206.pdf
Abstract: The dynamic response of fractured rock masses with tunnel-like holes under impact loading is critical for ensuring the stability of underground engineering structures. This study investigates the interplay between stress waves, crack propagation, and hole defects in rock materials through a combined experimental and numerical approach. A novel Large Single Cleavage Semicircle Compression (LSCSC) test is designed using U-shaped holed specimens with prefabricated cracks, enabling precise measurement of crack propagation velocity via crack propagation gauges (CPGs). An extended peridynamic (XPD) model with a local strain based implementation is introduced to simulate dynamic fracture processes under varying tunnel orientations. The results demonstrate that hole defects significantly alter crack patterns and reduce fracture toughness, with an inverse correlation between crack propagation speed and fracture toughness. Notably, the specimen exhibits the highest susceptibility to failure when the tunnel is inclined at a 45° angle to the stress wave direction. The experimental and numerical results align closely, validating the XPD model’s capability to capture stress heterogeneity, crack initiation, and dynamic failure modes. This work provides critical insights into the fracture mechanisms of holed rock structures under dynamic loads, offering practical references for hazard mitigation in tunneling and underground engineering.
Highlights:
• A combined experimental and numerical approach is developed to investigate the dynamic fracture behavior of rock tunnel.
• An extended peridynamic method is used to simulate dynamic response of rocks.
• The dynamic fracture toughness of specimens with holes is evaluated.
• The stress distribution upon crack initiation in rock tunnels is analyzed.
Keywords: Rock tunnel; Crack propagation; Rock dynamics; Peridynamic model; Stress wave
Cite: Ying, P.; Zhao, Y.; Zhang, J.C.; Li, W.J; Zhao, Y.Q.; Zhu, Z.M.; Du, Y.L., Dynamic fracture behavior of rock tunnel under impact loading: Insights from experiments and peridynamic simulations. Deep Resources Engineering 2025, 2 (3): 100206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.deepre.2025.100206
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