The effect of neighbouring cracks on elliptical crack initiation and propagation in uniaxial and triaxial stress fields

The study of brittle fracture and its relationship to strength is a fundamental part of rock mechanics and a number of other engineering disciplines. The initiation, propagation and coalescence of these fractures results in the degradation of material strength and eventually leads to failure. Results show that the interaction of stresses between neighbouring tips of elliptical cracks aligned parallel to the direction of loading can have a significant influence on one another in terms of crack initiation and propagation. Depending on the distance separating each crack and the loading conditions imposed on the medium surrounding them, the addition of neighbouring cracks can act to;either suppress or promote crack growth. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.