Crack Propagation of Jointed Rock and Application

Abstract

Brittle media, such as rock mass, usually contain a great number of joints or cracks, which lead to varying mechanical properties and failure behaviors of different rock masses. In this paper, the DDARF method is adopted to simulate the crack initiation, propagation, coalescence and failure process in rock masses prefabricated with the different crack number and spacing under loading. The corresponding stress-strain curves and strength envelope are obtained. The parameters are applied in a case study. The differences in the failure behaviors of the intact and jointed rock masses after cavern excavation are analyzed and compared.