A cohesive grain based model to simulate shear behaviour of rock joints with asperity damage in polycrystalline rock

Abstract

A cohesive grain based model is proposed to simulate the fracture behaviour of polycrystalline rocks. The model was employed to characterize the cracking response of both inter- and intra-grain contacts in the grain based model (GBM). The model was implemented in distinct element codes and its ability to mimic the mechanical and failure behaviour of polycrystalline rocks was demonstrated through calibration of several granitic rocks including Adelaide black granite, Eibenstock II granite, and Aue granite. The calibrated model of Aue granite was used to assess the effect of joint roughness coefficient (JRC) on asperity damage and shear mechanism of rock joints (i.e. grain crushing) under constant normal load (CNL) and constant normal stiffness (CNS) conditions. The bond-break in intra-grain contacts contributed to asperity damage in form of grain crushing. The numerical observations showed that under CNS condition asperity damage increased with increasing initial normal stress and JRC, and rough rock joints exhibited more dilative response.