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Abstract
Most problems faced by the practicing rock engineer involve the evaluation of rock mass strength and deformability. The theoretical
evaluation of the mechanical properties of fractured rock masses has no satisfactory answer because of the great number of variables
involved. One of these variables, the influence of which over rock mass behavior is poorly documented, is the degree of fracture
persistence. This paper presents the results of biaxial tests performed on physical models of rock with non-persistent joints. The failure
modes and maximum strengths developed were found to depend on, among other variables, the geometry of the joint systems, the
orientation of the principal stresses, and the ratio between intermediate stress and intact material compressive strength (s2/sc). Tests
showed three basic failure modes: failure through a planar surface, stepped failure, and failure by rotation of new blocks. Planar failure
and stepped failure are associated with high strength behavior, and small failure strains, whereas rotational failure is associated with a
very low strength, ductile behavior, and large deformation.
r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Failure through a planar surface; Stepped failure; Failure by rotation of new blocks; Non-persistent joints
1. Introduction where (cj, fj) and (cr, fr) represents the cohesion and
friction angle of the joint and of the intact rock,
The design of high rock slopes, typical of open pits, often respectively, and k is the joint continuity factor given by
requires the evaluation of the rock mass strength along
failure surfaces partly along existing joints and partly k ¼ Lj =ðLj þ Lr Þ, (2)
through the intervening intact rock. Collinear joints
where Lj and Lr are the length of the joint and of the rock
separated by volumes of intact rock are often referred to
bridge, respectively (Fig. 1).
as non-persistent or discontinuous joints. Jennings [1]
Eq. (1) disregards the influence of the joints on the
proposed to compute the combined strength of joint and
stress distribution, and assumes simultaneous failure of
rock bridges from the simple linear weighing of the
the intact material and the joints; it thus disregards the
strength contributed by each fraction of material:
possibility of progressive failure. Jennings’ criterion can
also be expressed in terms of the major principal stresses, as
t ¼ kðcj þ s tan fj Þ þ ð1 kÞðcr þ s tan fr Þ, (1) follows:
ð2= sinð2bÞÞ kcj þ ð1 kÞcr þ s2 1 þ k tan fj þ ð1 kÞ tan fr cot b
s1 ¼ . (3)
1 tan b k tan fj þ ð1 kÞ tan fr
1365-1609/$ - see front matter r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.ijrmms.2007.01.005
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cement mortar mold before the mortar sets. Lajtai [9] ran
σ1
direct shear tests on model material with non-persistent
joints and observed that the failure mode changed with
A
increasing normal stress; he proposed a composite failure
β envelope to describe the transition from the tensile strength
γ
of the intact material to the residual strength of the
σ2 discontinuities. He thus recognized that maximum shear
Lr
σ2 strength develops only if the strength of the solid material
α
and the joints are mobilized simultaneously. Other
B investigators conducted further experimental research to
Lj
d understand, in a qualitative way, the beginning, propaga-
tion, and coalescence phenomena between two joints
σ1
[10–13].
Fig. 1. Parameters varied in the tests. 1.3. Tests with a set of non-persistent joints
coalescence of wing fractures. This failure mode, as the one values quoted for typical rocks, the axial strain at failure
described by Sagong and Bobet [20], cannot be explained coincides with typical values.
by Jennings’ criterion (Eq. (1)) or by that of Cording and Direct shear tests and normal load tests on 5 4 4 cm
Jamil (Eq. (4)). square samples indicated the following properties of
closed joints: maximum cohesion cj peak ¼ 0.042 MPa,
2. Testing material and equipment joint friction angle fj peak ¼ 331, and residual friction
angle of the joint fj residual ¼ 331. Thus, except for the
2.1. Model material E50/sci ratio, the model material properties comply with
the non-dimensional ratios proposed by Heuer and
Ideally, the model material should have mechanical Hendron [21].
properties that reproduce, to the proper scale, the behavior
2.2. Sample preparation
of intact rock. The model material used in this research is a
mixture of fine sand, common cement and distilled water,
Biaxial tests were run on samples that were 300-mm-
mixed in proportion of 4000/1000/1235 by weight.
high, 150-mm-wide, and 50-mm-thick. These samples were
Uniaxial and triaxial compression tests made with this
prepared by pouring the mortar mixture into a mold, and
mixture gave the following results: unconfined compressive
inserting 0.1-mm-thick and 5-mm-wide steel sheets into the
strength sci at 14 days ¼ 3.46 MPa, axial strain at failure
mixture. The steel sheets were attached to an external
ef ¼ 0.45%, cohesion ci ¼ 0.86 MPa, peak angle of friction
frame provided with steel bars that could be positioned at
fi ¼ 371, tensile strength st ¼ 0.45 MPa, tangent modulus
different angles and spacing so that a variety of joint
of deformation at s ¼ 0.45 sci E50 ¼ 2400 MPa, and
geometries could be produced. Joints with aperture of
Poisson’s ratio n ¼ 0.16.
0.1 mm were obtained by removing the steel sheets after
As shown by its uniaxial compression strength vs. axial
24 h of curing, while joints with aperture of 0.0 mm were
strain curve (Fig. 2), the model material has a rather ductile
obtained by removing the sheets after 2 h of curing. The
behavior: although the ratio E50/sc is above the range of
test specimens were cured for 14 days in a room with
controlled temperature and humidity. The different models
1.2 thus prepared had the parameter values shown in Table 1
Marble Model Material and the geometries shown in Fig. 3.
1.0
2.3. Test setup
0.8 Norite
A uniform load was applied to the sample, through a
σ1/σc
0.6 Sandstone
pyramid of simply supported steel platens, by hydraulic
Quarzite
0.4
jacks reacting against a steel frame (Fig. 4). The load was
measured with load cells, and the displacement by two
0.2 axial and two transverse LVDTs (displacement transdu-
cers). Fifty-three specimens were tested; the intermediate
0 principal stress ranged from 0 to 0.2 times the intact
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 material compressive strength. Control samples of each
ε (%)
mix (5-cm-diameter and 10-cm-high cylinders) were pro-
Fig. 2. Comparison of non-dimensional stress vs. strain curves of model duced, which allowed us to control the compressive
material, with Norite, Sandstone, Quarzite [24] and Marble [25]. strength of the intact material used in every specimen.
Table 1
Joint geometries and confining stresses of the samples tested
3. Test results and experimental observations high stress concentration. The initial spreading of these
fissures, or wing cracks, is practically perpendicular to the
In agreement with Griffith’s criterion, when a sample direction of the joint. The propagation of the cracks is
containing non-persistent joints is loaded in compression, influenced by the geometry of the neighboring joints, as
new fissures are created at the tip of the joints subjected to defined by Fig. 1. Similar failure modes can be defined,
depending on the way in which the new cracks spread until
the model collapses.
PROB 41
July 6
β = 15
3=0
Fig. 5. Observed failure modes: (a) through a plane, series 3, s2 =sc ¼ 0:00; (b) stepped, series 2, s2/sc ¼ 0.00; (c) rotation of new blocks series 5,
s2/sc ¼ 0.00; (d) interaction between rotation and stepped, series 8, s2/sc ¼ 0.01.
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A failure plane with the strike of s2, and developing s2, all underwent brittle failure at a strain of approximately
through the intact material, was observed at high 0.3–0.4% (Fig. 8a).
intermediate confining stress. It defines the upper limit of The only series to fail through a plane was that with
the strength envelope for the model material under biaxial steep joints (Series 3 with b ¼ 151, Fig. 8c). The lower angle
load conditions (s3 ¼ 0). b of 151 made it easier for a failure surface through the
rock bridge to develop on the same plane of the joints than
3.2. Behavior of rock models on the longer surface failure needed to jump from one
system of joints to the adjacent one. Failure took place at
The 11 series presented here correspond to different small strains (less than 1%) and was usually brittle. As the
combinations of persistence k, spacing Lr/d, dip b, and intermediate principal stress s2 increased, the failure
angle of overlap g. Each series included several samples, occurred through the intact material, but the modulus of
each with a different value of the intermediate principal deformation of the ‘‘rock mass’’ did not change much.
stress s2. These test variables all strongly influenced the Stepped failure was observed in Series 2, 9, and 11, with
model failure (Table 2). b ¼ 451 and g close to 901 (Figs. 8b, i and k). For Series 2 and
The strength of the prismatic samples was approximately 11, the non-dimensional ratios k and Lr/d are the same,
10–20% high than the strength of cylindrical specimens although joint dimensions are different. As expected, these two
tested to check the intact material strength (Fig. 7). The series yield comparable results. The failure strain usually
modulus of deformation of the intact prismatic samples ranged from 0.5% to 1.0%. As the intermediate principal
was quite similar to the modulus of the intact material, E50. stress s2 increased, the failure mode changed to failure through
The three prismatic samples with no joints (Series 1), a plane and, eventually, to failure through the intact material.
tested at different values of the intermediate principal stress However, the failure strain was always larger than in the cases
of intact material and of failure through a single plane.
The remaining series (4–10) failed by rotation, a failure
mode characterized by lower strengths and larger failure
strains than either planar or stepped failure. They all had a
tip-to-tip joint angle a of 901, with a tip-to-toe angle g
ranging from 117 to 1351. Our tests did not disclose the full
range of a and g combinations where rotational failure
mode could occur. The stress–strain curve of these series
shows an abrupt change of slope, generally at strains
smaller than 0.2%, coincident with the development of
wing cracks at the joint tips. As the loading proceeds, the
wing fracture originating at the tip of a joint propagates
without stepping until it connects with the tip of another
joint. As a result, the rock mass becomes fractured into
several blocks that can now rotate and slide, leading to low
Fig. 6. Stepped failure. Average dip of the failure surface. strength and low modulus values. In fact, in some of the
Table 2
Dominant failure modes
tests, the model strength was equal to the strength that 4.1. Failure envelopes
would result along a single joint.
We compared the strength of the laboratory samples
4. Analysis of results with the shear strength of a joint and with previously
published failure criteria for non-persistent joints, such as
The failure mode and the strength of rock models with those of Jennings [1] and of Cording and Jamil [15].
non-persistent joints were found to depend on the Fig. 9 summarizes the strength at failure for g ¼ 1351
geometry of the joints on the s2/sc ratio and the strength and three values of b (451,301,151). In addition to the
of the joint material. experimental points indicating the failure stresses, each
1.25
1.00
0.75
σ1/σc
0.50
0.25
0.00
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
ε (%)
Fig. 8. Principal stress difference vs. axial strain curves. (a) series 1, (b) series 2, (c) series 3, (d) series 4, (e) series 5 and (f) series 6, (g) series 7, (h) series 8,
(i) series 9, (j) Series 10, (k) series 11. R, Rotation failure mode; P, sliding on a single plane; S, stepping failure mode, I, Shearing through intact material.
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Fig. 8. (Continued)
panel includes three lines: the upper line represents the not influence much the strength of the models within the
strength of the intact sample in the (s1, s2) plane, according range tested. In these tests, b ¼ 451 and 451pap601. The
to the Kim and Lade [22] criterion; the intermediate line results are in agreement with those reported by Cording
represents the failure strength of the fractured sample and Jamil [15]: step failure, dominant at low confining
according to Jennings’ criterion; and the lower line stresses, changed to planar failure and finally to failure
represents the strength for a single joint of inclination. through the intact material as the confining stress
For b ¼ 451 (Fig. 9a), the sample fails by rotation and the increased. Although series 2 and 11 have the same non-
model strength is equal to the residual strength along a dimensional parameters, the length of the joints and their
single (lower line). For b ¼ 301 (Fig. 9b), the sample fails spacing are smaller for series 11 (Table 1). In fact, a closer
by rotation and the strength falls somewhere between the look at the experimental results (Fig. 11) shows that series
strength along a single joint (lower line) and Jennings’ 11 is slightly stronger than series 2. The slight increase in
envelope (intermediate line). For b ¼ 151 (Fig. 9c), the strength can be explained by the Fracture Mechanics
sample fails through a plane connecting several non- Theory, which indicates that for small fracture lengths
persistent joints. Surprisingly, the strength increases correspond small values of the Stress Intensity Factors (KI
dramatically and it becomes higher than the strength and KII). This lead to higher rock mass strength.
predicted by Jennings’ simple model. We believe that the Within the geometries tested, the strength of models
strength is due to higher normal stresses on the rock failing by rotational mode was most significantly influ-
bridges than predicted by the simple model. This hypoth- enced by the angle of inclination b of the major principal
esis is supported by finite-element analysis: for an open stress with respect to the joint system (Fig. 12). From
joint, the maximum normal stress computed along the rock this figure can be obtained the model friction angle,
bridge resulted in more than four times the average normal witch increase from series 4 to 5 to 6 and to 8 (respectively,
stress computed with Jennings’ hypothesis (Fig. 17). 401, 401, 451 and 541). On the other hand, the cohesion
The results of series 2, 9 and 11 fall fairly well within the does not show a clear trend. The c/sci value is between
same envelope (Fig. 10), indicating that the angle g does 0.014 and 0.028.
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ARTICLE IN PRESS
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σ1/σc
σ1/σc
R
0.75 0.75 0.75 2
R 2
R
0.50 0.50 4 0.50 P
R
R R R
0.25 0.25 0.25
R R β=45 RR β=30 β=15
0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
σ2/σc σ2/σc σ2/σc
Fig. 9. Change in strength and failure mode with the orientation of the major principal stress.
1.50 1.40 1
1
1.20 Symbol Lj/e Model
1.25 P+S
1.00 2
P+S P
σ1/σc
Fig. 11. Effect of joint aperture ‘‘e’’ on the strength of the samples.
Fig. 10. Strength envelope for step failure, k ¼ 0,71; Lr/d ¼ 1.0; b ¼ 451;
Comparison between series 2 (Lj/e ¼ 500) and series 11 (Lj/e ¼ 250).
90pgp112.5.
k ¼ 0.71, Lr/d ¼ 1.0, b ¼ 45, g ¼ 90, e ¼ 0.1 mm (joint aperture).
4.2. Effect of joint cohesion and joint stiffness importantly, the magnitude of normal and shear stiffness
of the joint. Finite-element analysis indicate that an
Series 5 and 10 show the influence of joint cohesion over increase of normal and shear stiffness reduces the tensile
the model strength. For a joint cohesion approximately stress at the joint tips, thus increasing the strength of the
0.05 times the intact material cohesion and a joint model.
continuity factor of 0.71, the strength of the model mass
increases approximately by 0.4 times the intact material 4.3. Anisotropic strength behavior
strength (Fig. 13).
The strength increases because of two effects: an increase The effect on the strength of the models of the
in the cj/sc ratio from 0 to 0.012 and, even more orientation b of the major principal stress is further
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σ1/σc
σ1/σc
0.75 R 0.75 0.75
2 R R
R R
0.50 4 0.50 4 0.50
R R
R 2 R
0.25 R 0.25 R 0.25 R
R R R R
RR R
0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
σ2/σc σ2/σc σ2/σc
Serie 4. k=0.71,Lr/d=1,β=30,γ =135 Serie 5. k=0.71,Lr/d=1,β=45,γ =135 Serie 6. k=0.71,Lr/d=1,β=60,γ =135
1.50
1
1 Intact Material
1.25 Series Properties
2 Fracture Strength
3 Series Nφ φ σ1/σci c/σci
3 Jenning’s Criteria
1.00
4 R+I 4 Best linear fit
4 4.56 40 0.078 0.018
σ1/σc
0.75 2
R+I Experimental Data
5 4.56 40 0.058 0.014
R: Rotation Failure Mode
0.50 P: Sliding on a Single Plane 6 5.93 45 0.137 0.028
R+S
S: Stepping Failure Mode
0.25 R+S I : Shearing Through Intact Material 7 9.48 54 0.116 0.019
R R+S
0.00
0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
σ2/σc
Serie 8.k=0.63,Lr/d=1,β=45,γ=127
1.50
1
1.25
1.00 R
2
3
σ1/σc
0.75
R
0.50 R R R
0.25 R
R
R
0.00
0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
σ2/σc
Experimental data closed joint
Experimental data open joint
1 Intact Material
2 Fracture Strength (open joint)
3 Fracture Strength (closed joint)
R: Rotation Failure Mode
k=0.71, Lr/d=1.0, β=45 and γ =135.
Open joints, series 5, cj= 0.000 [MPa], φj=33°, kn = 16 [MPa]/cm and kt = 0 [MPa]/cm.
Closed joints, series 10, cj=0.042 [MPa], φj=33°, kn = 16 [MPa]/cm and kt = 330 [MPa]/cm.
illustrated in a plot of s1/sc vs. b (Fig. 14). This plot joints. To improve our understanding of the interaction
compares the strength of series 3–6, and shows curves among adjacent joints, we carried out a numerical study
obtained from the linear envelopes in Figs. 9 and 12. It with the software PHASE2 [23], assuming elastic behavior.
shows three different failure modes. (a) Planar failure is This study estimated the external stress field needed to
observed for b ¼ 151. The intact material shear strength induce joint closure and that needed to obtain tensile
and the joint shear strength, mobilized simultaneously, failure at the joint tips, and studied the normal stress
result in high strengths. We assume that the same failure distribution along the rock bridges for cases in which the
mode would prevail for smaller values of bU (b) Rotational joints have a low inclination with respect to the major
failure, observed for b between 301 and 601. The strength is principal stress. It covered two cases, g ¼ 901 and g ¼ 1351,
reduced and the failure is more ductile. (c) Transitional each time with Lj ¼ 5 cm, Lr ¼ 2 cm, d ¼ 2 cm, and
failure, assumed for b between 151 and 301. e ¼ 0.1 mm (open joint). Its main results are shown in
Figs. 16 and 17.
4.4. Estimation of the failure mode of non-persistent joint The major principal stress that produces joint closure
systems decreased as b increased and did not change significantly as
s2/sc varied from 0 to 0.15. An increase of g from 901 to 1351
Knowledge of the possible failure mode allows one to resulted in a closure stress increase of approximately 50%.
forecast whether the failure will be ductile or fragile. In contrast, the major principal stress that causes tensile
Cording and Jamil [15] found that stepped failure occurs as failure at the joint tip did not change significantly as g
b and the Lr/d ratio increase. Sagong and Bobet [20] also increased from 901 to 1351 but did change as s2/sc varied
found a correlation between geometrical parameters and from 0 to 0.15. For s2/sc ¼ 0, the stress was also
failure modes. As our tests show, a plot of (yb) vs. Lr/d independent of b, but for s2/sc ¼ 0.15, it depended
(where y ¼ 1801g) serves as an empirical procedure to strongly on b.
discriminate between failure modes. This plot (Fig. 15) The numerical analyses show that the normal stresses are
builds on experimental evidence from our research in not uniform along the rock bridge. Compressive stresses
addition to evidence found by Jamil [14], and includes data are observed for sh equal to 0.3, with high stress
for joint persistence greater than 0.63 and b larger than 301. concentrations at the joint tips. In these cases the average
For b less than 301, the samples always failed through a value of the stress normal to the rock joint was 2.8 times
plane. The plot is similar to that of Sagong and Bobet [20], larger than the uniform value computed with the simple
but it covers more cases and is a better predictor. hypothesis of Jennings (Fig. 17).
The stress distribution near the tip of a joint depends, Our laboratory tests on artificial rock models with non-
among other factors, on the presence and location of other persistent joints illustrate the large anisotropy in the
80 σ1
70 P P d
1
60
SyP β
50 Lr σ2
P S&P 2 θ
40 S
θ−β S&P s
30 3
S S
20 P+S
R R
10 MS 4 Failure Mode
R+S P : Planar
0 R+S R
S : Stepping
5
-10 R : Rotation
R P+S : Mixed mode P y S
-20
R+S : Mixed mode R y S
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
MS : Multi stepping
Lr/d
Fig. 15. Summary of failure modes observed in the tests and suggested boundaries. Plot valid for k40.63 and s2/sc o0.20.
σ1/σc
0.6 0.6
0.4 0.4
σ2/σc Symbol
0.00
Tensile fracture
0.15
0.00
Joint closure
0.15
Fig. 16. Major principal stress needed to induce tensile failure at the joint tips and to achieve joint closure.
strength of a fractured rock mass. The stress orientation Low confining pressures when the joint step angle is
relative to the orientation of the joints and the value of the approximately 901 can induce a step failure along an
confining stress resulted in different failure modes. average slope angle cf ¼ c1+Dc, where c1 is the dip of the
Samples with steeply dipping non-persistent joints and joint system and Dc ¼ tan1(d/Lj).
joint step angle larger than 901 underwent planar failure. Wing fractures and tensile failure propagating in the
The strength of some samples turned out to be larger than rock bridge between parallel adjacent fractures can
the strength predicted by a simple model because the significantly reduce the strength of the rock mass. As a
normal stress on the rock bridges is several times larger result, the model divides into a series of individual blocks
than the stress assumed by the simple model. that can rotate, leading to a toppling or ‘‘rotational
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σv=1 Kg/cm2
Average normal stress on the rock bridge
15
σn(kg/cm2) for σv= 1 kg/cm2
From From
σh
σh= 0.3 Kg/cm2 (kg/cm2)
Numerical Jennng’s
Analysis Hypothesis
0.3 0.97 0.35
Area of study
2) 2)
g/cm g/cm
σ n (k σ n (k
2.0
2.0
1.5
1.5
1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
0.0
-5.0
0.0
-5.0
-1.0
-1.0
0
σh=0.3
σh=0.3
Lr(cm
1
1
L r (c
)
m)
2
Fig. 17. Normal stress distribution along the rock bridge according to the numerical analysis and according to Jennings’ hypothesis.
failure’’. The overall strength can be as low as the residual [2] Brown ET, Trollope DH. Strength of a model of jointed rock. J Soil
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