Fracture behavior of high-temperature granite subjected to liquid nitrogen cooling: Semi-circular bending test and crack evolution analysis

Liquid nitrogen fracturing is an effective technique for stimulating reservoirs in hot dry rock exploitation. The application of low-temperature liquid nitrogen to high-temperature granite generates thermal stress, thereby altering its mechanical properties and fracture behavior. This study focused on type I fracture characteristics by conducting semi-circular bending tests on high-temperature granite treated with liquid nitrogen. The fracture behavior was analyzed using acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation methods. The fractured surface morphology was examined using laser scanning, and fractal theory and tortuosity analysis were employed to assess the fracture surface roughness. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided insight into the impact of liquid nitrogen cooling on fracture characteristics. The findings indicated that treated granite specimens below 150 degrees C exhibited an increased peak load, fracture toughness, and fracture energy compared to untreated specimens. SEM images revealed isolated microcracks in specimens at 25 degrees C and 150 degrees C, which effectively passivated pre-existing notches and increased fracture toughness. For granites above 200 degrees C following liquid nitrogen treatment, P-wave velocity, peak load, fracture toughness, and fracture energy decreased significantly as temperature increased. AE signals were observed earlier for granites at higher temperatures. The length of the fracture process zone increased with temperature, and the crack tip opening displacement exhibited a step-like increase at 600 degrees C under loading. The fractal dimension of the fracture surface varied with temperature, whereas the tortuosity exhibited a substantial increase with increasing temperature. As the temperature difference increased, an increasing number of microcracks appeared, forming interconnected networks that compromised the rock integrity, ultimately leading to reduced fracture toughness and the development of a rougher failure surface.