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Catastrophic Rock and Concrete Brittle Failures (2021–2024)

Abstract:
Brittle rocks and concrete under extreme stresses fracture spontaneously and without pre-warning. In deep mining and tunnelling this causes fatalities, injuries and serious damage. Based on recent advances by the CIs in understanding the effect of biaxial loading and the free surface on catastrophic fracture propagation, the project aims to develop a new paradigm of monitoring, prediction and prevention of dangerous skin rock burst-type failures. A unique experimental methodology, measurements and analytical and numerical models will be employed to provide a better understanding of the fundamental processes in rock fracturing. This will lead to safer and more cost-effective deep rock engineering designs.
Grant type:
ARC Discovery Projects
Researchers:

  • Professor David Williams

    Professor
    School of Civil Engineering
    Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

  • Dr Mehdi Serati

    Senior Lecturer, Advance Qld Indust
    School of Civil Engineering
    Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
Funded by:
Australian Research Council