Properties Of Jointed Rock Mass Research Articles

Experimental investigation of failure mechanism of fissure-filled sandstone under hydro-mechanical conditions

Fissure fillings are critical to the hydro-mechanical properties of jointed rock masses in rock engineering. In this study, triaxial seepage tests were performed on standard cylindrical fissure-filled sandstone. The characteristics of stress–strain relationships, absorption and consumption of energy, variations in deformation resistance, and permeability evolution during the experimental process, along with the crack development observed in post-failure computed tomography scan images of the sandstone specimens were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the fillings improve the energy capacity and reduce the damage accumulation of sandstone specimens, with sand-filled specimens performing better than mud-filled specimens, especially at lower bridge angles. The fillings can reduce the depth of crack extension and lessen the influence of prefabricated fissures on sandstone failure, with this effect diminishing as the rock bridge angle increases. Permeability decreases in the pre-peak failure stage as the fillings improve the deformation resistance of the sandstone specimens. In the post-peak failure stage, the fillings and rock debris generated by the sandstone failure move within the developed fractures, causing significant fluctuations in permeability. These findings deepen the understanding of the hydro-mechanical properties of jointed rocks and provide a scientific basis for stability analysis in rock engineering.

Drilling Process Monitoring for Predicting Mechanical Properties of Jointed Rock Mass: A Review

Reliably assessing the quality and mechanical properties of rock masses is crucial in underground engineering. However, existing methods have significant limitations in terms of applicability and accuracy. Therefore, a field measurement method that meets the real-time monitoring and safety requirements for the quality of engineering rock masses is needed. Firstly, the research findings of domestic and international scholars on the application of drilling process monitoring technology are comprehensively analyzed. Rotary cutting penetration tests are conducted on tuff rock masses containing fractures and joints. Various rock mass classification and evaluation standards are integrated with rotary penetration tests. Rotary cutting penetration tests are used to determine the residual strength of rock, based on this review. The rationality of the calculated mi parameter values is validated. The peak strength, residual strength, and errors of the rock are obtained based on the penetration method. The rock quality index rock quality designation from drilling (RQDd) is redefined, based on the drilling process monitoring apparatus (DPMA). Rock mass classification is conducted, based on the correlation between the standard deviation of rotary drilling energy and the rock quality designation (RQD). Additionally, a new relational formula is introduced to determine the RQD from variations in drilling energy, based on discontinuity frequency. This field measurement method undoubtedly provides a crucial scientific basis for rock design and construction, ensuring long-term safety in engineering applications.

Experimental study of uniaxial compressive mechanical properties of rough jointed rock masses based on 3D printing

Abstract Roughness and inclination are important factors affecting the strength and deformation properties of jointed rock masses. Serrated joint specimens with varying joint roughness coefficient (JRC) and inclination angle were manufactured by 3D printing technique and cement mortar material. Then, uniaxial compression tests were performed for serrated joint specimens. The results show that when inclination angle equals 0° or 90°, the stress–strain curves of serrated joint specimens with various JRC values are basically the same and display a similar variation trend as that of the complete specimen, hence JRC presents a very little impact. When inclination angle varies from 30° to 60°, the stress–strain curves display a significant difference for various JRC values. Both the compressive strength and peak strain increase with the JRC value. With the increase in JRC value, the stress–strain curve exhibits a stress drop point, and with the further increase in JRC value, the stress drop point obviously delays or disappears directly. Variation in uniaxial compressive strength and deformation modulus with inclination angle is approximately U-shape for serrated joint specimens and displays typical anisotropic characteristics. Due to the variation in inclination angles and JRC values, failure modes of serrated joint specimens under uniaxial compression varies from splitting tensile or shear slip failure to compound tensile and shear failure. Rough serrated joint has a strengthening effect on the resistance ability to vertical load, and large roughness can effectively slow down the shear slip failure of jointed rock masses.

Macro-micro damage model of the effect of freeze–thaw on jointed rocks considering compaction deformation

Jointed rock mass contains microscopic cracks, joints and other defects. Moisture migration during freeze–thaw cycles affects crack initiation and propagation of defects of different scales. The change of defects in turn affects the mechanical and deformation properties of jointed rock mass, especially in the compaction deformation stage. Considering the effects of freeze–thaw cycles on compaction deformation, plastic deformation, macroscopic damage and microscopic damage, a macro–micro damage constitutive model of jointed rock mass under freeze–thaw actions was proposed under the framework of thermodynamics. Based on the internal state variables (ISV) theory, the Helmholtz free energy of jointed rock mass under freeze–thaw actions was obtained by taking compaction deformation, macroscopic damage and microscopic damage as internal state variables. The compaction, elasticity, plasticity, and damage stages were analyzed respectively, and the macro–micro damage model of jointed rock considering compaction deformation were deduced by regarding the total strain as three parts (compaction deformation, elastic deformation and plastic deformation). The validity of the proposed model was verified by compression tests on rock samples with different induced crack inclination angles that have undergone different amounts of freeze–thaw cycles. The model considers the moisture migration mechanism of freeze–thaw damage and the friction and slip mechanism of microcrack surfaces. The effect of moisture migration on the compaction deformation during freeze–thaw cycles is significant, and the proposed model can accurately simulate the full stress–strain curves (compaction-elasticity-plasticity-damage) of jointed rock mass under freeze–thaw actions, which provides quantitative guidance for reducing freezing damage by attenuating moisture migration.

Scale dependency and anisotropy of mechanical properties of jointed rock masses: insights from a numerical study

Scale dependency and anisotropy of mechanical properties of jointed rock masses: insights from a numerical study

Damage constitutive model and mechanical properties of jointed rock mass under hydro-mechanical coupling

The damage evolution law and mechanical property weakening mechanism of jointed rock mass under hydro-mechanical coupling are important scientific problems in deep rock mass excavation. In this paper, the mineral composition of rock specimens was analyzed, and the distribution law of nuclear magnetic resonance T2 spectrum of granite under different axial stress was studied. Then the mechanical properties of jointed rock samples under triaxial stress and seepage pressure were studied. Based on the analysis of the stress field at the joint tip, the damage model of the jointed rock mass was obtained. Furthermore, the tensor of damage variables was analyzed, and the stress intensity factor under seepage pressure was calculated. The seepage pressure promotes the damage evolution process of jointed rock mass specimens and accelerates the strength failure of jointed rock mass specimens. The damage constitutive model of jointed rock mass under seepage pressure was established and verified. Based on the weakening law of seepage pressure, the developed hydro-mechanical coupling constitutive model was customized and imported into FLAC3D with the calculation function of the Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model as the compilation template. A three-dimensional numerical simulation model of underground rock mass engineering was established to analyze the stability of rock mass with different joint dip angles. For the surrounding rock with the dominant angle of 85° in the mine, its stability is poor, and the support needs to be strengthened.

An Improved Method for Estimating the Strength of Jointed Rock Mass Using Drilling Technology

During underground excavations for civil and mining engineering purposes, the variations in mechanical properties of jointed rock mass are important, especially for the design of underground structures. The unreasonable evaluation of strength properties for rock masses can lead to the structure instability of underground construct, which subsequently causes collapse accidents in underground engineering and poses a serious threat to the structures safety. Rock mass classification system is an effective method for determining the strength parameters for rock masses. Firstly, the existing approaches for determining the strength parameters of rock masses are reviewed using classification systems such as the joint factor, jointing index methods, rock mass rating (RMR), Q-system (Q), geological strength index (GSI), and rock quality designation (RQD). Since in some cases, rock quality designation (RQD) is the only information available, a comparative study with other methods then is conducted to verify the limitation and deficiencies of RQD method. On this basis, a newly developed method from RQD classification system based on drilling special energy is established to estimate the rock mass strength. Finally, the developed method is applied in the tunnel engineering in the Daheba hydropower station in Hanjiang to the Weihe River project of China, and the results are compared with those from the previous works. The in situ test results show that the developed method can give appropriate values compared to various suggested relationships from RMR, Q, and GSI. The results can be treated as an important design reference for the prevention and treatment of surrounding rock instability and underground excavations in the Daheba hydropower station.

Properties of Jointed Rock Mass under Triaxial Compression Based on Microbial-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation

Properties of Jointed Rock Mass under Triaxial Compression Based on Microbial-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation

Effect of Morphology Parameter Determination on Contact Behavior of Rock Joints under Compressive Loading

The closure behavior of rock joints is of critical importance to the study of hydromechanical behaviors and geophysical properties of jointed rock masses. Theoretical contact models, used to predict the relations of normal stress versus closure deformation, rely on morphology parameters of rock joint as the input parameters. The relevance of the contact models depends on the inherent assumptions and the accuracy with which the input parameters are determined. In the present study, morphology parameters of three rock joints are determined by the spectral moment approach and peak identification method, respectively. The differences are found to vary significantly depending on the selected method. The phenomenon would be related to the definition of an asperity peak on joint profile. The spectral method only considers the so-called asperity peaks, while the deterministic approach further accounts for the asperity shoulders. Finally, the morphology parameters determined by the two methods are treated as the input parameters of a validated theoretical model. The comparisons between the theoretical curves and the experimental results indicate that parameters determined by the deterministic method would be more reliable.

Deep Convolutional Neural Network-Based Method for Strength Parameter Prediction of Jointed Rock Mass Using Drilling Logging Data

Abstract Field evaluation of the strength properties of jointed rock masses is a challenging task in geotechnical engineering. Typically, laboratory tests using small jointed specimens have difficu...

Fracture Behavior of Rock with Initial Damage: Theoretical, Experimental, and Numerical Investigations

Geomaterials such as rock mass often have initial damage under the influence of long-term geological action and hydration corrosion environment. The initial damage affects the integrity and stability of the rock mass, resulting in a difference in the mechanical properties of jointed rock mass and intact one. Therefore, the study of the fracture and failure characteristics of the jointed rock mass is of great significance. Most of the previous researches into the fracture behavior of rock with initial damage are based on model testing, theoretical analysis, and numerical simulation of rock mass with preexisting flaws. This review concentrates on the theoretical, experimental, and numerical efforts that have been devoted to the fracture characteristics of rock or rock-like specimens with preexisting flaws under compression. Some suggestions on the future research work in this field are also given.

Scale effect of mechanical properties of jointed rock mass: A numerical study based on particle flow code

The synthetic rock mass (SRM) were used to investigate the influence of specimen size on the mechanical properties of jointed rock mass. The SRM were established based on parallel bond model (PBM) and smooth joint model (SJM) and the scaled rock specimens were sampled in two SRMs considering three sampling locations. The research results show that the smaller the initial fracture density is, the greater the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), elastic modulus (E) is when compared with the same sampling location. The mechanical properties of rock specimens obtained by different sampling methods in different SRMs have different scale effects. The strength of rock specimens with more new cracks is not necessarily less than that of rock specimens with fewer new cracks and the failure of rock is caused by the formation of macro-fracture surface.

Strength Characteristics of Nonpenetrating Joint Rock Mass under Different Shear Conditions

The mechanical property of jointed rock mass is an important factor to be considered in the analysis, evaluation, and design of actual rock engineering. The existence of joints threatens the stability and safety of underground engineering projects built in the rock mass. In order to study the change of mechanical properties and strength characteristics of nonpenetrating jointed rock mass under different test conditions, direct shear tests and triaxial tests were carried out. Direct shear tests under different normal stresses were carried out for nonpenetrating jointed rock mass to prepare specimens for triaxial tests. Then, triaxial tests were carried out to study the change of mechanical properties and strength characteristics of the nonpenetrating jointed rock mass. In the direct shear test part, the greater the normal stress is, the stronger the shear strength and the more serious the shear failure would be. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) the strength of rock mass would increase with the increase of confining pressure for those rock specimens with same degrees of shear after the direct shear test; (2) for rock specimens with different degrees of shear after the direct shear test, if the shearing degree of the rock specimen was greater, the strength of the rock specimen would be lower in the triaxial test; (3) for rock specimens with the same damage degree after direct shear test, the greater the normal stress in direct shear test is, the smaller the peak axial pressure would be in the triaxial test; (4) if the specimen was sheared under higher normal stress in direct shear test, the cohesion of it would be lower and the internal friction angle would be larger. For the specimens under the same normal stress, if the shear failure of one specimen was more serious, the cohesion of it would be smaller and the internal friction angle would be larger.

A particle mechanics approach for the dynamic strength model of the jointed rock mass considering the joint orientation

SummaryIn nature, there exist several forms of anisotropy in rock masses due to the presence of bedding planes, joints, and weak layers. It is well understood that the anisotropic properties of jointed rock masses significantly affect the stability of surface and underground excavations. However, these critical anisotropic characteristics are often ignored in existing uniaxial dynamic failure criteria. This study investigates the effect of a pre‐existing persistent joint on the rate‐dependent mechanical behaviours of a rock mass using a particle mechanics approach, namely, bonded particle model (BPM), to realistically replicate the mechanical response of the rock mass. Firstly, in order to capture the rate‐dependent response of the jointed rock mass, the BPM model is validated using published experimental data. Then, a dynamic strength model is proposed based on the Jaeger criterion and simulation results. To further investigate the dynamic behaviours, the dynamic uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) for anisotropic rock masses with various joint orientations is investigated by subjecting the BPM models to uniaxial compression numerical tests with various strain rate. The proposed dynamic strength model is validated based on numerical simulation results. Finally, the fragmentation characteristics of the jointed rock masses are analysed, which demonstrate that the failure mode affects the dynamic UCS. This is further confirmed by the analysis of the orientations of microscopic cracks generated by the compression loading.

Numerical characterization for rock mass integrating GSI/Hoek-Brown system and synthetic rock mass method

Rock mass characterization is a key issue to derive mechanical properties of jointed rock mass. In this research, the strength, modulus and post-peak behaviour of rock masses with varied joint orientations and confining stresses are characterized by integrating an empirical geological strength index (GSI)/Hoek-Brown system and a synthetic rock mass (SRM) numerical method. The SRM model is a 3D distinct element model supporting explicit simulation of discontinuous joints and crack propagation in the rock mass. The rock mass structure as denoted by a discrete fracture network is correlated to the GSI system through a quantitative factor of rock block size. The strength and modulus are then derived from the GSI/Hoek-Brown system and used as references for a series of synthetic rock mass models. A comparative study shows that when the predominant joints are steeply inclined in the rock mass subjected to axial loading, the empirical GSI/Hoek-Brown system provides reliable mechanical properties. When the joints are less favorable to shear sliding, the GSI/Hoek-Brown system underestimates the rock mass strength. Cracking characteristics are also investigated in selected SRM models, where few cracks are simulated when inclined joints are inserted in the rock mass and low confining stresses are applied. This research finally shows the method to construct continuum rock mass models using the numerical parameters of the SRM models. The numerical results suggest that the global failure zone is thin when the post-peak is elasto-brittle, and the failure zone is much wider when the post-peak is elasto-plastic. The involvement of the additional failed zones is responsible for the post-peak ductility. The paper is meant to explore new methods to derive high quality geo-data for jointed rock mass.

Development of a damage rheological model and its application in the analysis of mechanical properties of jointed rock masses

AbstractFossil fuel resources (eg, coal, oil, and natural gas) exist in underground reservoirs, where discontinuities are widespread and influence the stability of rock structures. The mechanical behavior of jointed rock masses significantly affects the long‐term stability of rock engineering. A major challenge in this area is to link the time‐dependent deformation with damage influence induced by distribution of joints in rock masses. In this paper, a damage mechanical theory is adopted which deals with several groups of joints distributed in rock masses. Based on the geometrical distribution of joints, a damage model considering the influence of normal vector and area density of joints is used to describe the discontinuities. A damage rheological model for jointed rock masses is developed and programmed in the finite difference software FLAC3D, and an example of jointed rock masses is used to verify the validity of the model. The damage rheological model could predict the visco‐elastic strain which corresponds to primary creep property, visco‐plastic strain which corresponds to steady state creep property, and damage strain which reflects the damage effect of joints to rock masses. Finally, we use this model to predict the displacements and damage zones in the rock masses surrounding an underground opening.

An empirical method for determining the mechanical properties of jointed rock mass using drilling energy

Characterization of jointed rock masses and evaluation of their mechanical properties are challenging tasks in rock engineering. This paper presents an experimental investigation of the response characteristics of drilling energy to the discontinuity of rock mass using a drilling method. The linear relationship between the drilling energy and discontinuity frequency is revealed, which only depends on the rock type, and is independent of calculation units. A new empirical method for determining the rock quality designation (RQD) versus the variation of drilling energy is proposed based on the discontinuity frequency. Comparison between the prediction and in situ investigation results demonstrates that the RQD can be estimated from this empirical method. The Em/Er (modulus ratio) and σcm/σc (strength ratio) versus RQD relations are modified for the determination of rock mass strength and deformation modulus in order to consider the continuous variation of Em/Er and σcm/σc with the model parameter η, which is related to the drilling energy and modulus of elasticity of intact rock and the variation of drilling energy for rock mass. The results show that the modified Em/Er (σcm/σc) versus RQD relations can give proper values compared with the field test results as well as compared with the various proposed relations from RMR, Q and GSI. The modified relations can provide a practical, fast and easy-to-use method for the estimated rock mass strength and deformation modulus, but they are only a first approximation.

Dynamic constitutive model of penetrating jointed rock mass based on ZTW model

According to the characteristics of stress-strain curves of soft rock with through joints under dynamic loading and the related research results of existing dynamic constitutive models of soft rock, a dynamic uniaxial compression constitutive model for soft rock with through joints is established. The model is based on Zhu-Wang-Tang model, in which damage body, joint plane closure element and shear deformation element are connected in series to simulate the static compressive mechanical properties of jointed rock mass, and Maxwell composite element is connected in series to describe the strain rate effect of jointed rock mass. First, the micro-damage model is described assuming that the integrity of the intact rock mass follows the tensile strain criterion and the statistical damage of the micro-intensity and damage satisfying the Weibull distribution; Secondly, the Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion is introduced into the strength damage variable to modify the macroscopic damage variable according to the shear failure characteristics of the through-jointed rock mass along the Plane-straight joint plane under uniaxial compressive load. Thirdly, based on the Lemaitre equivalent strain hypothesis, a coupled damage variable (tensor) considering the macroscopic and microscopic effects is established, and then the damage viscoelastic dynamic constitutive model of the jointed soft rock is established. Finally, the model is used to discuss the effects of joint cohesion, joint internal friction angle and joint dip angle on the dynamic mechanical properties of rock mass. The results show that the uniaxial compression dynamic peak strength of jointed rock mass increases with the joint cohesion and the internal friction angle of the joint, and U-shaped with the increase of the joint inclination angle, and the minimum value is obtained at 60°.

Study of Shear Capacity of Jointed Rock Mass with Prestressed Anchor Bolt

Rock mass failure caused by jointed plane is the common disaster in geotechnical engineering. Research on shearing property of jointed rock mass with prestressed anchor bolt and its mechanical property is an aspect for the stability analysis of rock slope and tunnel. This paper studies the stress and deformation of bolt and jointed plane, as well as anchored body and rock mass during shearing by indoor model testing and theoretical analysis. The shearing strength and mechanical property of anchored jointed plane have been systematically studied, and the additional force caused by deformation of prestressed anchor bolt and jointed rock mass during the shearing has been proposed and verified. The anchorage interaction between rock mass and bolt is revealed.

A damage mechanical model applied to analysis of mechanical properties of jointed rock masses

The mechanical properties of jointed rock masses significantly affect the long-term behaviour and safety of engineering projects. In this paper, a damage mechanical theory is adopted to deal with some sets of joints distributed in rock masses. Based on the geometrical distribution of joints, a damage model which considers the influence of normal vector and area density of joints is used to describe the discontinuities. This damage model is programmed in finite difference software FLAC3D, and an example of jointed rock masses is used to verify the validity of the model, which shows that this model can well reflect the influence of joint angle and joint density. Finally, we use this model to predict the displacements and damage zones in the rock masses surrounding an underground cavern. The simulation results show a good agreement with field measurements.