Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation Using Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) Combined with Cohesive Zone Model (CZM), of Crack Growth Induced by Non-Explosive Expansive Material on Two Neighboring Circular Holes of A Gneiss Rock

The Non-explosive expansion material (NEEM) is a method more environmentally friendly than the harmful conventional rock fracturing techniques. However, it is slower and very costly. Thus, any means of economizing their use is very desirable. This paper investigates the crack growth between two neighboring holes of a gneiss rock internally pressurized by NEEM mixed with water with the aim to evaluate the influence of holes spacing (center-to-center distance), on the initiation and growth of cracks. Field experimental results reveal that crack starts earlier and grows faster with increasing ambient temperature. But when the ambient temperature is above 28°C, the NEEM is “blown out” of the holes. At these ambient temperatures, the surrounding rocks are hot and cannot dissipate efficiently the heat generated by the hydration reaction. The best filling time was found to be in the evening when the daily hot temperature has drooped. The time to first crack increases as hole diameter decreases. The 3D numerical modeling and simulation of crack growth between two neighboring holes internally pressurized by NEEM using ABAQUS (XFEM/CZM) software shows a good agreement with the theoretical and experimental results.