Experimental and numerical analysis of dynamic fracture processes in rock and rock-like materials using NRC vapor pressure agent

Abstract

This study investigates the fracture characteristics of rocks and rock-like materials subjected to the Nonex Rock Cracker (NRC), a vapor pressure crushing agent. The NRC generates vapor pressure by instantaneously vaporizing a crystallized water mixture through the thermite reaction. Both experimental methods, using high-speed cameras and dynamic pressure gauges on Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and granite blocks, and numerical simulations with a 3-D combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) were utilized. Results indicate that gas pressure infiltrating pre-existing cracks primarily drives crack propagation. The study concludes that accurately modeling gas injection into initiated cracks during deflagration is essential for reasonable numerical simulations of rock fracturing processes using NRC.