Asperity Degradation and Damage in the Direct Shear Test: A Hybrid FEM/DEM Approach

Abstract

This paper investigates the processes of joint surface damage and near-surface intact rock tensile failure using a hybrid FEM/DEM code. Selected Barton and Choubey JRC profiles were simulated in direct shear tests and the surface damage mechanisms investigated in terms of joint surface wear or tensile fracturing of intact rock along the joint plane. Shear strength and displacement profiles for each joint profile are numerically simulated. Numerical results agree closely with published experimental observations. Furthermore, results show that dilation along the joint is controlled dominantly by the joint surface geometry and the applied normal stress. Significant dilation is expected to occur where there is a large asperity provided the applied normal stress is low. In this case, joint surface damage is limited to surface wear. In contrast, when the applied normal stress is high, dilation will be low and damage is composed of both surface wear and asperity breakage through near-joint-surface intact rock tensile failure. Local joint dilation angles vary in proportion to the magnitude of the dilation. Several joint profiles with different geometrical configurations were simulated within a slope and the possible modes of joint surface damage were investigated. It was found that due to low normal stresses acting on the joint surfaces within a slope the dominant mode of joint surface damage is by yielding and surface wear of asperities.