Numerical modelling of a rock cutting process

Numerical modelling of rock cutting process at great depth is discussed in this paper. The failure of rock is assumed to be formed and developed through shear band strain localization. For detecting its onset, two localization indicators, the bifurcation criterion and a scalar indicator, were used. As classical finite elements can not always give us a reliable result because of the very high strain gradient produced across the thin band thickness, the spectral band superposition technique proposed initially by Belytschko is discussed in the large strain framework. The numerical results of the rock cutting are given to show the availability of above theoretical and numerical tools.