Abstract
The number of parallel joints has an impact on the size effect of the uniaxial compressive strength and characteristic strength of a rock; however, the relationships between them are yet to be derived. We studied the influence of the number of joints and rock size on the uniaxial compressive strength of the rock. This study established ten numerical simulation programs using numerical simulations and the RFPA software. Stress–strain curves of different numbers of parallel joints and sizes of rocks were analyzed. Relationships between the uniaxial compressive strength and number of parallel joints and rock size were proposed, and their special functions were obtained. Mathematical models between rock characteristic size, rock characteristic strength and the number of parallel joints were established. Simulations of the verification program confirmed that these relationships are still applicable after the angle of parallel joints changes.
Highlights
Minerals 2022, 12, 62. https://In the natural environment, under the long-term action of complex geological conditions, large numbers of joints, cracks and faults have accumulated in rocks
Whether from the perspective of laboratory tests or numerical simulations, scholars have carried out many studies on the influence of the number of joints on the compressive strength of rocks, but few of them involve the element of rock size effect
The derived mathematical model of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and rock size can be applied to engineering rocks with parallel joints
Summary
Under the long-term action of complex geological conditions, large numbers of joints, cracks and faults have accumulated in rocks. Lu et al [5] performed uniaxial compression tests on rocks with different heightto-diameter ratios and obtained the size effect of rock strength as well. Wang et al [13] used indoor uniaxial compression tests to study the influence of the number of joints on the compressive strength. Whether from the perspective of laboratory tests or numerical simulations, scholars have carried out many studies on the influence of the number of joints on the compressive strength of rocks, but few of them involve the element of rock size effect. Liang et al [30] studied the size effect of the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of a rock mass, and obtained a characteristic size of 14 m × 14 m. The paper obtains a method of solving the parameters under each mathematical model, which can provide a theoretical reference for engineering applications
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