Laboratory modeling of deformation of specimens with discontinuity under direct shear in constant normal stiffness conditions

Abstract

This study presents tests of specimens with discontinuity made of artificial geomaterial (concrete-sand mixture) having triangular profile of surface roughness under shear loading with the boundary “constant normal stiffness” condition, with three values of normal compressive load: 0.5, 0.9 and 1.2 MPa. The patterns of deformation were determined at each stage of loading diagrams: linear, nonlinear, peak load and residual strength. The empirical dependences of the ultimate shear stress on normal stress were constructed for different values of roughness.