Experimental study on anisotropic fracture characteristics of coal using notched semi-circular bend specimen

•Fracture behaviors in coal are studied by regarding it to be transversely isotropic.•Modes I and II fracture sensitize to rotation of bedding and pre-crack, respectively.•Maximum principal stress features near pre-crack tip differ among the coal specimens.•Fracture growth anisotropy in coal is quantitatively described by JRC variations.