The Stochastic Estimation of Crack Continuity

Abstract

The continuity of cracks is one of the most important factors to determine many characters of rock mass such as ground water flow, strength and slope failure.
The crack continuity can be quantitatively estimated by the combined application of two stochastic process models; the branching process model and the percolation process model.
It goes without saying that detailed field data of crack system, particularly the ratios of the number of crack junctions to that of crack terminal points are indispensable for this kind of analysis.