On the role of pre-existing discontinuities on the micromechanical behavior of confined rock samples: a numerical study

The deformation process and failure mechanism of rock mass with increased density of initial joints subjected to confined stress state are investigated in this study using discrete element method (DEM). A numerical model of standard size granite samples is developed and validated using experimental data for both intact and jointed rocks. The micro-parameters of the rock material are first determined, and the effects of the rock discontinuity on strength, deformability, stress–strain relationship, and failure modes are then investigated at the macro-scale level. Analyses are also performed to examine the tensile and shear crack distributions, fragmentation characteristics, particle kinematics, and energy dissipation to advance the current understanding of the deformation processes and failure mechanisms of jointed rock masses. The microscopic evolutions in the fabric and force anisotropy during loading and distributions of contact forces provide insights into the influence of increasing initial jointing on the macroscopic deformational behavior of the rock. The results show how the deceleration in the growth of fabric and contact force anisotropies develops and confirms that the increase in initial jointing and the associated changes in microstructure can restrain the development of anisotropy, thereby reducing significantly the strength of the rock samples.

     

Investigation of natural rock joint roughness

The paper provides a comprehensive review on rock joint roughness measurement and quantification procedures. Superiority of fractal based methods over JRC, statistical parameters and statistical functions in quantifying roughness is discussed in the paper. Two of the best fractal based methodologies available in the literature, the modified 2-D divider and variogram methods, are used to quantify natural rock joint roughness in 3-D and 2-D, respectively. The capability of these two methods in accurate quantification of natural rock joint roughness is shown in the paper by applying the procedures to four natural rock joints. A good comparison has been obtained from the values obtained through the two methods. Both these methodologies have two parameters to capture the stationary roughness. The fractal dimension captures the spatial auto correlation of roughness; the other parameter captures the amplitude of roughness. Anisotropic roughness has been studied by applying two other methodologies: (a) a triangular plate methodology and (b) a light source methodology to the same four natural rock joints. A reasonably good comparison has been obtained through the results of these two methodologies. All four roughness quantification methodologies can be applied to any size of sample covering from laboratory to field scales. The results of the triangular plate and light source methodologies provided possible sliding direction values (under the gravitational loading) close to that reported in the literature for the rough discontinuity planes used in the study.     

岩石结构面粗糙度系数尺寸效应的推拉试验研究

粗糙度系数是结构面抗剪强度的主要影响因素,然而由于结构面表面形态的复杂性,粗糙度系数尺寸效应研究并未获得较大进展。总结了结构面粗糙度系数的3种获取手段：标准剖面对比法、理论公式法、试验反分析法。在此基础上分析了3种方法在研究粗糙度系数尺寸效应方面存在的问题和困难。为了研究结构面粗糙度系数与试样尺寸的相关度,对中砂、硅粉、水泥、非引气型萘系减水剂等原材料的配比进行了研究,获得了与天然钙质板岩物理力学特性相类似的岩石模型材料,然后采用研发的结构面制作模具及其制备工艺制作了8组共176对具有不同尺寸和表面起伏粗糙程度的结构面,并利用改进的高精度岩石结构面推拉仪对结构面粗糙度系数进行了推拉试验研究和数据统计分析,结果表明：模型结构面粗糙度系数的统计均值随试样尺寸的增加而降低,但特定结构面粗糙度系数的尺寸效应规律需要根据结构面的具体表面形貌进行测试;Barton理论公式计算的结构面粗糙度系数尺寸效应变化规律与推拉试验测试规律总体上一致,但试验值与理论值有差异,且结构面试样尺寸越小,二者的差异就越大;具有特定表面形貌的模型结构面粗糙度系数也有差异,工程大尺寸岩体结构面粗糙度系数需要根据表面形貌和分布特征进行综合判定。     

单轴压缩下横观各向同性岩石破裂过程的数值模拟

采用基于细观损伤力学基础上开发的RFPA2D数值模拟软件,用2种不同的岩石材料来组成7个不同岩层倾角的横观各向同性的岩石试件,通过单轴加载数值模拟试验,模拟横观各向同性岩石渐进破裂的整个过程,分析了岩层与最大主应力之间的倾角和强度之间的关系,讨论了不同岩层倾角的横观各向同性岩体的不同破裂模式及其破坏准则。     

基于功率谱密度的评估岩石节理粗糙度新方法

为进一步提高结构面粗糙特征描述的精确性和可靠性,更全面地体现出细微形貌的影响,将轮廓线凹凸起伏分解为幅值、倾角和曲率3个特征,分别代表轮廓线的高度变化、角度变化和弯曲程度变化。以Barton建议的10条标准轮廓线为例,计算其幅度、角度和弯曲度的特征曲线,获得了三者的分布规律。利用可表征微细观形貌的功率谱密度函数研究了3种特征曲线的频谱特征,然后从功率谱密度对数曲线中提取了可以描述形貌特征的分形参数D_j（斜率相关）和粗糙度参数A_j（截距相关）,在此基础上研究了D_j和A_j与节理粗糙度系数（joint roughness coefficient,简称JRC）的关系。同时,将该指标推广到了三维形貌的表征形式,并计算了大理岩剪切面的三维粗糙度。结果表明：新指标评估精确度高,可反映结构面各向异性特征,能有效表征结构面粗糙特征,对研究结构面剪切力学性质有重要意义。     

不同节理粗糙度类岩石材料三轴压缩力学特性试验研究

粗糙度是影响节理岩体强度与变形特性的重要因素之一。首先使用3D 打印机制作模具,并浇筑形成不同粗糙度（节理粗糙度系数JRC=2、7、12、17、22）的节理岩石试样。采用GCTS高温高压动静岩石三轴试验系统,对含有不同粗糙度节理岩石试样进行了三轴压缩试验,获得了不同粗糙度节理岩石试样的三轴应力–应变曲线,分析了JRC对岩石三轴强度和变形特性的影响规律,在三轴加载过程中采用声发射测试系统,分析了不同粗糙度节理岩石试样的声发射特性。运用数字三维视频显微系统观察节理面形态,讨论了不同围压下节理岩石试样峰值强度与JRC之间的关系。研究结果表明,节理面的存在直接导致节理岩石试样强度的大幅度降低,JRC对岩石破坏裂纹的形态、数量和空间分布特征亦有很大的影响,随着JRC值的增大,岩石节理面的抗剪强度增大,岩石试样的三轴抗压强度也会增大,岩石试样由脆性破坏转变为延性破坏。     

一种新的岩石节理面三维粗糙度分形描述方法

研究并提出一种新的岩石节理面三维粗糙度分形描述方法。首先,基于激光扫描数据将节理表面离散成三角网,并建立与剪切方向相关的三维均方根抵抗角的计算方法。其次,运用分形数学理论,提出一种新的基于三维均方根抵抗角的节理面粗糙度分形描述方法。最后,采用新方法对天然玄武岩节理和花岗岩张拉型节理的粗糙特性进行分析。研究结果表明,提出的新方法能够较全面地反映节理面的三维几何形貌信息,并能描述节理粗糙度的各向异性特性。研究成果为进一步建立岩石节理面的三维剪切强度公式和剪切本构理论奠定了基础。     

甘肃北山花岗岩岩体结构面粗糙度系数（JRC）研究

岩体结构面表面形态研究对岩石工程结构体强度及变形特征研究评价具有重要的指导意义.文章评述了现有岩体结构面粗糙度系数(JRC)的各种测定方法及存在的问题,分析了在高放废物处置库预选场址甘肃北山花岗岩地区,用"简易纵剖面仪"进行地表岩体及钻孔岩心裂隙结构面JRC的测量结果.     

Analysis of lateral rock spreading process initiation with a numerical modelling approach

The first erosional front of the south‐eastern Alps has been affected by several deep‐seated landslides. The movements affected a Jurassic limestone sequence underlain by an upper Trias unit (Keuper) mainly composed of marl and clays. Horst‐ and graben‐like structures, newly formed gravitational faults, outflow and other field evidence suggest that such movements are consistent with lateral rock spreading processes. An example of such processes is the ‘La Marbrière’ slope, where field investigations have revealed that three distinct zones corresponding to three evolutionary stages of movement exist. The question is: What are the structural and mechanical modifications undergone by the slope between those evolution stages? To tackle this question, numerical models based on a 2D cross section of the ‘La Marbrière’ slope have been performed. Results show that, to fit the structural evidence of the precollapse situation, elasto‐plastic behaviour of the Trias Keuper unit is needed. The transition between the precollapse and fresh post‐collapse situations requires a modification of the mechanical behaviour of the Trias Keuper unit to Burger type, resulting in the formation of antithetic and synthetic gravitational faults (producing a graben‐like structure).     

结构面粗糙度统计测量最小样本数确定方法

由于结构面粗糙度具有各质异性、各向异性、非均一性和尺寸效应等特征,结构面粗糙度系数(JRC)取值具有不确定性,工程中广泛采用统计方法来分析结构面粗糙度性质,然而以往研究往往忽略样本数不足对统计结果的影响。针对结构面粗糙度统计测量时无法确定合理样本数的问题,分别提出基于变异系数级比分析及简单随机抽样原理的最小样本数确定方法。以实际工程岩体结构面表面数据为研究对象,对比分析两种方法在系列尺寸下确定的统计测量最小样本数。实例分析表明:小尺寸样本的变异系数(CV)值明显大于大尺寸样本,且CV值随取样尺寸的增大而减小,取样尺寸为10～50cm的CV值基本稳定在0.31～0.47之间,取样尺寸为60～100cm的CV值基本稳定在0.21～0.31之间;最小样本数与取样尺寸基本满足幂函数关系,且最小样本数随取样尺寸的增大而减少;系列尺寸下级比分析方法在允许误差为±2%时确定的最小样本数与简单随机抽样原理在最大允许误差为10%、置信度为95%时计算的最小样本数是一致的,相似度大于0.997。该研究方法可为工程岩体中定量获取结构面粗糙度统计测量最小样本数提供依据,保证了JRC(结构面粗糙度系数)统计测量...     

The influence of the intermediate principal stress on rock failure behaviour: A numerical study

The influence of the intermediate principal stress on rock strength has been studied comprehensively by previous researchers. However, the reason why rock strength firstly increases and subsequently decreases with the increase of intermediate principal stress is still unclear. In this paper, the mechanism of the intermediate principal stress effect on rock failure behaviour is revealed through a numerical method using the EPCA3D system (Elasto-Plastic Cellular Automaton). In this study, both homogeneous and heterogeneous rocks are considered. The heterogeneity of a rock specimen is modelled by introducing Weibull's statistical distribution. Two criteria, i.e. the Drucker–Prager and Mohr–Coulomb models, are used to determine whether a meso-scopic element in the rock specimen is in a failure state or not during the polyaxial stress loading process. The EPCA3D simulation reproduces the typical phenomenon of the intermediate principal stress effect that occurs in some rock experiments. By studying the EPCA3D simulated acoustic emission and complete stress–strain curves illustrating failure initiation, propagation and coalescence in the failure process of rocks, the essence of the intermediate principal stress effect is tracked. It is concluded that the heterogeneous stress distribution induced by the natural heterogeneity of rocks and the effect of the loading platen are two of the reasons producing the intermediate stress effect. Studies indicate that a moderate intermediate principal stress delays the onset of local failure, which in turn leads to an increase in the rock strength. However, once the intermediate principal stress reaches a certain value, local failure will be formed through the application of the intermediate principal stress. It is the number of failed elements in the pre-peak region that determines whether the rock strength decreases or not. The extent of rock strength reduction when the intermediate principal stress reaches a certain value is lessened with the increase in the minimum principal stress.     

基于节理不确定性的可靠度分析

边坡稳定性一直是边坡安全的重点研究对象,针对边坡评价中常见的不确定性因素,可靠度分析是值得利用的方法。为评价某节理发育的岩质岸坡稳定性,通过有限元计算软件,结合现场勘探测绘数据,建立以边坡节理强度参数c、φ为输入变量,安全系数为输出变量的点估计（PEM）计算概率模型,计算结果表明:节理发育对该边坡变形具有明显控制作用;边坡整体可靠性较好,破坏概率极低。最后,通过蒙托卡罗法对可靠度结果进行验证,结果表明两种方法的计算结果不存在显著性差异。研究结果表明节理对岩质边坡稳定具有良好的敏感性,基于节理不确定性的点估计法分析边坡可靠度是一种有效的方法。     

均质岩体中隧道围岩破坏过程的试验与数值模拟

采用模型试验与离散元模拟的方法,对均质岩体中隧道开挖后围岩的变形破坏过程进行了研究,并对围岩变形破坏过程中围岩应力及地表位移的变化规律进行了分析,模型试验结果与数值模拟结果取得了较好的一致性。研究结果表明：隧道开挖后,拱顶处围岩变形明显并出现裂缝,围岩破坏从拱顶开始,进而呈渐进式向上发展,最终形成稳定的塌落拱;开挖后,隧道围岩径向应力减小,隧道周边一定范围内围岩切向应力减小,且随隧道变形破坏的发展,围岩切向应力减小的区域逐渐扩大;隧道塌方后,拱底垂直应力增加,开挖结束至塌方开始期间地表位移增量最大,塌方期间地表位移增量最小。     

Visualizing the effect of excavation rate on rock deformation and fracturing of tunnels using a transparent soft rock surrogate

One of the most important problems during tunneling in soft rock is deformation and fracturing of the rock during tunneling. The problem was successfully explored by using a transparent rock surrogate to simulate the behavior of soft rock, which permitted visualizing conditions within the rock. Synthetic soft rock was made using consolidated fused quartz saturated with a blend of two mineral oils that have the same refractive index as the quartz. The tunnel was simulated using a smooth aluminum tube and two tunneling methods representing machining and blasting were considered. Two observation planes made of seeding particles were pre-placed within the model and used to track soil movements and crack propagation. Images of both planes were captured simultaneously using two orthogonal cameras. Rock deformations were concentrated in the vicinity of the tunnel face, and deformation rates behind the tunnel face were significantly greater than those ahead of the face. However, deformation rates and patterns varied considerably depending on the excavation method/rate. Fracturing mechanisms exhibited similar differences, for machining deformations occurred higher above the crown and propagated toward the tunnel face. Conversely for blasting deformations sprang from the crown upwards. These observations can assist with numerical simulations and in planning tunnel support systems.

     

低应力下岩石裂隙水力特性

针对地表附近30～50 m的岩体裂隙处于一种低围压状态（约1 MPa左右）这一情况,提出了低应力状态下裂隙变形的两点假设：（1）裂隙面处于线弹性状态;（2）隙宽减小量相对于初始力学隙宽是一个微小量。结合Barton公式,建立了低法向应力下裂隙渗流的半经验理论公式,并从实验的角度验证了该公式的合理性。实验结果和理论分析表明：低法向应力作用下,裂隙渗透系数随法向应力的增加而线性降低。此外,给出了一种间接确定裂隙初始力学隙宽的方法。     

单孔岩样水压致裂的数值分析

水压致裂是改变岩体结构的一种天然行为和人为手段。采用F－RFPA2D软件,对水压致裂过程、裂缝扩展形态及注水孔形状和大小、应力条件和岩样强度等影响因素进行了研究。将开始出现声发射的水压称为微裂压力,将声发射急剧增多、裂缝非稳定扩展直至岩样破坏的水压称为破裂压力。岩样尺寸一定时,微裂压力和破裂压力随内孔面积增加而降低,方形孔岩样的微裂压力和破裂压力均小于同面积的圆形孔。微裂压力和破裂压力随围压或岩样强度增加而增加,且其差值随岩样强度增加而增加,理论破裂压力与模拟值趋势基本一致。方形孔的宏观裂纹起裂位置多在角点附近,而圆形孔比较随机。无围压时,宏观裂纹的延伸方向随机;有围压时,宏观裂纹扩展方向大致与主应力方向一致,且沿较大主应力方向的宏观裂纹扩展至岩样破坏,较小主应力方向宏观裂纹不完全发育。研究结果对水压致裂试验和工程实践有一定参考意义。     

The role of rock joint frictional strength in the containment of fracture propagation

The fracturing phenomenon within the reservoir environment is a complex process that is controlled by several factors and may occur either naturally or by artificial drivers. Even when deliberately induced, the fracturing behaviour is greatly influenced by the subsurface architecture and existing features. The presence of discontinuities such as joints, artificial and naturally occurring faults and interfaces between rock layers and microfractures plays an important role in the fracturing process and has been known to significantly alter the course of fracture growth. In this paper, an important property (joint friction) that governs the shear behaviour of discontinuities is considered. The applied numerical procedure entails the implementation of the discrete element method to enable a more dynamic monitoring of the fracturing process, where the joint frictional property is considered in isolation. Whereas fracture propagation is constrained by joints of low frictional resistance, in non-frictional joints, the unrestricted sliding of the joint plane increases the tendency for reinitiation and proliferation of fractures at other locations. The ability of a frictional joint to suppress fracture growth decreases as the frictional resistance increases; however, this phenomenon exacerbates the influence of other factors including in situ stresses and overburden conditions. The effect of the joint frictional property is not limited to the strength of rock formations; it also impacts on fracturing processes, which could be particularly evident in jointed rock masses or formations with prominent faults and/or discontinuities.     

层状岩石边坡倾倒破坏过程的数值流形方法模拟

层状岩石边坡的倾倒破坏是岩石边坡失稳破坏的主要形式之一.本文利用数值流形方法对一层状岩石边坡的倾倒破坏过程进行了模拟.模拟结果表明:在不考虑块体间粘结力的情况下,块体间的摩擦角决定着岩石边坡的稳定性.随着摩擦角的增加,块体间的摩擦系数增大,岩石边坡的稳定性增强,并出现相应的滑动区、倾倒区和稳定区.模拟结果与相应的理论预测结果相吻合.