The dynamic splitting tests of marble using Brazilian disc and flattened Brazilian disc were performed at high strain rate with split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) of 100 mm diameter. A series of electrical resistance strain gauges were stuck on the samples along the loading diameter in order to record the strain histories, from which the strain, the time and position of the crack initiation, and the consequence and the velocity of the crack propagation could be detected. Experimental results indicated that crack initiation time was in accordance with the sudden change of the strain. Generally speaking, the crack does not initiate from the center of the sample, but from a certain point between the center and the interface where the incident bar impacts the sample. Then the crack propagates in opposite directions along the loading diameter till splitting into two halves. The velocity of the crack growth ranges from 400 m/s to 800 m/s, and the failure time is about dozens of microseconds. With low strain rate loading, the failure pattern of the sample is good and there are fewer turnoffs during the growth of the crack. On the contrary, with high strain rate loading, the failure pattern of the sample is diversified and there are more turnoffs at the fracture path. It is a brief, effective method to stick a series of strain gauges along the loading diameter of the sample to gain the characteristics of the dynamic crack initiation and propagation for brittle materials.
