Effects of Joints Inclination Angle on Failure Properties of Rock Masses Under Directly Tensile

Abstract

Usually joints will produce decisive effects to failure properties of rock masses. This paper finished numerical tests of failure process on jointed rock masses with different inclined angles in directly tensile, found that the location and direction of main crack on rock masses without joint were uncertain and random, the peak strength was highest. The main cracks of jointed rock masses were effected obviously with joints, excepted the joint inclined angle was 90°, all main cracks connected with high and low points of joints in almost horizontal levels. All peak strength of jointed rock masses were lower than rock masses without joint. The peak strength were raised with the inclined angles bigger and bigger, even the peak strength was close to the rock masses without joint which the joints inclined angles was 90°. Clearly, the joint inclined angle affects obviously the strength and failure properties of rock masses, so we should adopt different design basing on the stress direction of rock masses and the joints inclined angle to ensure the safety and efficient of engineering .