A020 JOINT PROPAGATION IN RELATIVELY UNDEFORMED BEDDED SEDIMENTARY ROCK THROUGH COMPRESSION FAILURE MECHANISMS

The representation of joint (opening –mode fractures) and fracture swarm development is classically presented by a first order phenomenon involving effective traction orthogonal to fracture plane (regional extension). Although commonly used, this hypothesis seems to us less realistic in many circumstances and may conflict with geological observations. Therefore, we describe fracture growth as a second order phenomena resulting from crack parallel compression.