Fracture stresses induced by rock splitters

Abstract To complement field experimentation in the use of mechanical rock splitters for rapid excavation, an analysis of the stress distribution around a hole was made by means of the Airy stress function for two assumed pressure distributions. These were chosen to simulate the probable pressure distribution caused by a rock splitter, i.e. by two feathers separated by a hydraulically activated wedge. An induced stress factor of 1.0 was obtained for an even function p sin2 θ, and of 1.65 for a Fourier series function. Results show that the design of feathers is a critical factor in determining the magnitude dnd distribution of stresses.