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Abstract The development of a unified numerical framework based on the boundary element method(BEM) for modeling crack propagation behavior in anisotropic rock is presented. The BEM formulation combined with the maximum circumferential stress criterion is used to predict the crack initiation angles and to simulate the crack propagation paths. To demonstrate the proposed BEM procedure to predict crack propagation in anisotropic rock，the propagation path in cracked straight-through Brazilian disc(CSTBD) specimen is numerically predicted and compared with the actual laboratory observations. Good agreement is found between the two approaches. It is therefore concluded that the proposed BEM procedure can accurately simulate the process of crack propagation for anisotropic rock.
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Received: 12 June 2009
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