Coalescence behavior in Carrara marble and molded gypsum containing artificial flaw pairs under uniaxial compression

Laboratory uniaxial compression tests were conducted on prismatic, molded gypsum and Carrara marble specimens containing two pre-existing artificial straight open flaws. Crack initiation and the sequence of the development of multiple cracks were observed by using a high speed camera. Besides confirming certain coalescence types seen in previous research, additional new coalescence types were observed in the present study. In addition, the crack initiation stresses and the overall strength of the specimens were measured. © 2007 Taylor & Francis Group.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex