Direct Measurement of the Contact Normal Stress Distribution between Two Smooth Joint Surfaces

Abstract

The shear strength of rock joints is highly depended upon the failure mode of joint asperity. At lower normal stress slide-up of one asperity up over another mode, however at high normal stress the joint asperities are sheared off at the base. This research uses pressure measurement film to directly measure the contact normal stress between smooth joint surfaces. It demonstrates that the density of color impression is capable of capturing the normal stress distribution behavior. The contact normal stress distribution during shearing is changed. After shearing, the contact stress becomes large. This increase in contact normal stress is to fracture the joint wall material.