STUDY OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF RUȘCHIȚA MARBLE THROUGH EXPERIMENTAL TESTING AND FDEM SIMULATION

Andrei ANDRAS

Abstract


This study examines the mechanical behavior and failure of Rușchița marble using a combined experimental and numerical approach. Uniaxial compressive strength tests were performed on dry and water-saturated core specimens to evaluate the effect of moisture on strength and stiffness. Dry samples showed higher compressive strength, while saturated samples exhibited reduced mechanical performance due to water-weakening effects. To examine fracture development, a two-dimensional finite-discrete element method model was developed in Irazu. The simulation reproduced the main stages of brittle failure, including damage localization, crack initiation, crack propagation, and fragment detachment. Good qualitative agreement was observed between the simulated fracture pattern and the laboratory failure mode, confirming the usefulness of the combined method for assessing marble behavior.

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