Work

Ultrahigh Tensile Strength of Rock

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The tensile strength is a fundamental physical property of materials, and especially for metals, polymers, ceramics, and composite materials, one of the most important strength indexes. Underground rock masses are generally under compressive stress, and hence the compressive strength is usually obtained from rock materials. However, the tensile strength is also a significant physical property for rock materials for the following reasons. The fracture mode at a crack tip is tension, shear, or a combination of the two even in a compressive stress state (Ramsey and Chester 2004 ), and accordingly, obtaining the rock tensile strength is essential to clarify the mechanisms of rock mass fracture such as during earthquakes and the Earth’s evolution (Tang et al. 2020 ). In a volcanic context, tensile strength exerts control over several key volcanic processes, including fragmentation and magma chamber rupture (Heap et al. 2021 , 2022 ). Hydraulic fracturing technology used for developments of oil, natural and shale gases, and geothermal energy and for rock stress measurement requires an appropriate evaluation of the rock tensile strength (Haimson and Cornet 2003 ). In addition, since the tensile strength is a few to several dozen percent of the compressive strength for most rocks (Cai 2010 ), understanding the tensile strength is essential for the stability assessment of rock structures such as slopes, foundations, and tunnels (Diederichs 2003 ). In contrast, utilizing such a low tensile strength leads to greater efficiency in rock excavation with explosives or machines.

Source: Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering

DOI: 10.1007/s00603-026-05484-1