Method for calculating the shear strength of rock masses with different combined structural planes based on the 3D printing technology

Abstract

The mechanical behavior of rock masses with different combined structural planes is poorly understood because of the difficulties associated with the performance of rock observations and analyses from the surface, collection of samples during field investigations, specimen preparation, and laboratory tests. The combination of rock mass structural planes has a significant effect on the rock mass mechanical properties. The three-dimensional (3D) printing technology can conveniently create 3D entities with complex structures, thereby providing an unprecedented opportunity to break through this bottleneck. In this study, model samples of structural surface models with different combinations are printed using the 3D printing technology, and a cement slurry with 3:1 water–cement ratio is used as the structural body to produce rock masses with different combined structural planes. The method replicates well the morphological features of natural joints. Moreover, the shear properties and the failure characteristics are stable and consistent. Direct shear tests are also performed on the rock masses of different combined structural planes from the intersection line parallel and perpendicular to the structural planes to obtain the relevant mechanical parameters and rock mass failure modes. The results prove the feasibility of the 3D printing technology in the experimental study of rock mass mechanics and show that the strength and failure modes of rock masses with different combined structural planes are different. A calculation method for the shear strength of rock masses with different combined structural planes is proposed herein based on the experimental data and the Mohr–Coulomb theory, and the method’s feasibility is verified by several examples.