Mixed-Mode Crack Propagation in Presence of Vein Fracture in Shale Sample in SCB Test

Mixed-mode fracture toughness refers to the ability of a material to withstand loads and expand under multiple modes of loading. It is usually tested by a semi-circular bend (SCB) to investigate the shale fracture toughness under combined modes of loading, such as tension and shear. When shale samples contain vein fractures, the dimensionless parameters Y1 and Y2 used in the SCB test method can be affected. The finite element method (FEM) was used to conduct a study investigating the impact of the natural fracture angle on the dimensionless parameters Y1 and Y2. The research findings indicate that as the vein fracture angle increases, Y1 and Y2 gradually increase. A construction was made to simulate the propagation path of a mixed-mode crack and compare it under various experimental conditions, utilizing the cohesive zone method (CZM). The results indicate that as the thickness of the vein fracture increases, the propagation path of the fracture becomes more tortuous. When the fracture encounters a vein with lower fracture strength, it will extend the vein fracture propagation. On the other hand, when the fracture encounters a vein with higher fracture strength, it will cross the vein fracture. This research considers the magnitude of the dimensionless stress intensity factor under different vein angles, simulating the crack propagation for varying vein widths and strengths.