Experimental investigation on failure mode and fracture characteristic of rock samples induced by laser irradiation

• Laser-induced fracturing of limestone, sandstone, and granite reveals distinct failure modes: tensile-shear composite in limestone, tensile in sandstone and granite. • Sandstone and granite exhibit lower acoustic emission peak energy due to melt dissipation, while larger specimens delay peak energy occurrence. • Fracture surface roughness (JRC and fractal dimension) is highest in sandstone, with asperity heights of 1–14 mm and slope angles up to 40°. • Granite shows the highest macropore proportion (~4.8%) post-irradiation, indicating significant porosity changes.