Effect of fissure water on mechanical characteristics of rock mass

Abstract

In view of the effect of fissure water in fractured rock mass on the strength of rock mass in engineering projects, we prepared specimens of cement mortar to simulate saturated rock mass with continuous fractures of different slope angles. By exerting static and dynamic loads on the specimens, the mechanical characteristics of rock mass with fissure water under these loads can be analyzed. Our experimental results indicate that the static compressive strength of saturated fractured rock mass is related to the slope angle. The lowest compressive strength of fractured rock mass occurs when the slope angle is 45°, while the highest strength occurs when the specimen has no fractures. Fissure water can weaken the strength of rock mass. The softening coefficient does not vary with the slope angle and type of load. The hydrodynamic pressure of fractured rock mass gradually increases with an increase in dynamic load. For a 0° slope angle, the hydrodynamic pressure reaches its highest level. When the slope angle is 90°, the hydrodynamic pressure is the lowest.