Abstract
Rock failure mechanism is one of the most important issues in rock mechanics engineering which plays a key role in the stability analysis of various structures. Therefore, different failure criteria have been proposed to understand the failure mechanism of rocks. One of the most commonly used rock failure criteria is the Hoek-Brown criterion, in which there is a parameter called mi, which is very important to the response provided by this criterion. Due to the importance of conducting extensive studies on this parameter, in this current research, by performing a series of experimental triaxial compressive strength test and numerical simulating in PFC-2D code, the effect of the Hoek-Brown constant mi on the failure mechanism and crack growth of different rocks has been studied. Based on the results of this study, it was found that the effect of parameter mi on the failure mechanism of different rocks varied according to the type of rocks, and the greatest effect of this parameter was on the peak strength of rocks. In addition, it was found that under higher lateral pressures, there are less destructive cracks in rocks, and as a result, they show more ductile behaviour.
Highlights
A great number of rock strength criteria have been proposed over the past years (Hoek and Brown, 1980; Yudhbir et al, 1983; Sheorey et al, 1989; Yoshida, 1990; Ramamurthy, 2001; Dunda et al, 2003; Song et al, 2019)
Based on the results of this study, it was found that the effect of parameter mi on the failure mechanism of different rocks varied according to the type of rocks, and the greatest effect of this parameter was on the peak strength of rocks
HB failure criterion is a nonlinear one, which is expressed in terms of major and minor principal stresses at failure (σ1 and σ3), and the mathematical equation for an intact rock is expressed as follows (Hoek & Brown, 1980): (1)
Summary
A great number of rock strength criteria have been proposed over the past years (Hoek and Brown, 1980; Yudhbir et al, 1983; Sheorey et al, 1989; Yoshida, 1990; Ramamurthy, 2001; Dunda et al, 2003; Song et al, 2019). Research by (Singh et al, 2011 and Shen and Karakus, 2014) indicated that the range of the confining stress σ3 has a significant influence on mi values. In the case of anisotropic intact rocks, the mi value is influenced by weak planes
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