Integrated Analysis of Mineralogical and Textural Factors on Stress-Induced Fractal Rock Damage: A Multiscale Analysis

This study explores the influence of textural properties and mineralogical composition on micro and mesoscale mechanical behaviors of three different rock types. Employing laboratory experiments, discrete element modeling (DEM), mineralogical examinations, and fractal analysis, we quantitatively assess rock damage evolution. Fractal dimension (DB) calculations on crack patterns, identified on thin sections prepared parallel and perpendicular to the uniaxial compressive loading direction at critical stress thresholds (σci, σcd, σpeak), provide insights. Our findings indicate that post-critical stress (σcd) highlights textural properties as primary factors determining rock damage extent, with mesoscale fractures aligning in response to mineralogical composition. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.