Mixed Mode Fracture Investigation of Rock Specimens Containing Sharp V-Notches.

This work aims to assess both experimentally and analytically the fracture behavior of rock specimens containing sharp V-notches (SV-notches) subjected to mixed mode I/II loading. To this end, firstly, several mixed mode fracture tests were conducted on Brazilian disk specimens weakened by an SV-notch (SVNBD sample), performed in their corresponding center and with various notch opening angles. Secondly, the fracture resistance of the tested samples was predicted using a criterion named MTS-FEM.