Mixed-mode fracture of compacted tailing soils. II: Crack properties from full-field displacement fields

This paper deals with the acquisition of the crack evolution and propagation behaviors of the compacted tailing soils from full-field displacement fields by incorporating two-dimensional optical technique-digital image correlation (2D DIC). Meanwhile, the fracture properties, such as mode I+II fracture toughness were also measured and compared to the results obtained in Part I. Cracking properties, such as strain energy rate, cracking initiation angle, and size of critical distance were investigated from the perspective of full-field displacement field and compared to the classic fracture mechanics. It is more intuitive to recognize the mixed mode fracture properties of the compacted tailing soils under asymmetric loading conditions by using optical techniques in full-field displacement fields. This work largely enriched the database of the fracturing properties of compacted tailings soils.