In order to study the influence of non-penetrating cracks on rock failure characteristics under dynamic loading

splitting Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB) is used to conduct impact tests on sandstones with different number and developed depth of non-penetrating cracks. The dynamic failure characteristics are analyzed based on fractal theory and energy dissipation principle. The results show that dynamic peak stress is more complicated in different number and developed depth of cracks. Peak strain increases with the increase in the number of cracks

and it increases at first and then decreases with the increase in the developed depth of cracks. Dynamic elastic modulus increases at first and then decreases with the increase in the number of cracks

but it decreases with the increase in the developed depth of cracks. The failure modes of specimens under different working conditions are mainly divided into three types

i.e. tension strain failure

tension strain-shear composite failure and crushing failure. The number of cracks has more significant influence on the failure mode than the developed depth of cracks. The fractal dimension

energy dissipation per unit volume and energy absorption rate of the rupturing rocks increase with the increase of the number and developed depth of cracks. Moreover

the fractal dimension and dissipation energy per unit volume are both approximately linear correlated with energy absorption rate.