Joint Elasticity Effect on the Failure Behaviours of Rock Masses using a Discrete Element Model

Yong Yuan, Changtai Zhou, Zhihe Wang and Jifang Du
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Yong Yuan: The State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, School of Mines, Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource, Ministry of Education of China, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Changtai Zhou: School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Engineering North, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Zhihe Wang: School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Engineering North, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Jifang Du: Department of Transportation Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: It is widely accepted that the mechanical properties and failure behaviours of a rock mass are largely dependent upon the geometrical and mechanical properties of discontinuities. The effect of joint elasticity on the failure behaviours of rock masses is investigated using a discrete element model, namely, the synthetic rock mass model. Here, uniaxial compression tests of the numerical model are carried out for the rock mass model with a persistent joint to analyse the role of joint elasticity in the failure process with various joint orientations, β . A strong correlation between the joint elasticity and failure strength is found from the simulation results: a positive relationship when the joint orientation β < φ j ; a negative relationship when the joint orientation φ j < β < 90 ° ; and a very limited effect when the joint orientation β = 90 ° . Additionally, it is shown that the joint elasticity is the governing factor in the transition of failure modes, especially from the sliding failure mode along the joint to the mixed sliding-tensile failure mode.

Keywords: anisotropy; discrete element model; joint stiffness; Jaeger’s criterion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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