... ABSTRACT ABSTRACT: A fracture mechanics numerical code, FRACOD, has previously been developed to predict the explicit fracturing process such as fracture initiation and fracture propagation in rock masses. It has been used in studying borehole breakouts, tunnel stability, and rock mass...

... of the interaction between the hydraulic fracture and the interface during crossing. The crossing process involves fracture-interface coalescence, the competition between tensile and shear fractures, fracture initiation, multiple fractures, fluid loss from the main fracture, and interface frictional slippage...