Work-softening and hardening behaviour of granular rocks

SummaryWork-Softening and Hardening Behaviour of Granular Rocks Experimental results from granular and dense rocks indicated that the plastic strain increment vector was inclined at a constant angle (approximately 70°) to the tangent of a curve fitted either to peak strength data or to strength data associated with a given value of axial or volumetric strain. The angle of inclination was independent of the direction of stress increment. When a small axial strain was exceeded changes of volumetric strain were found to be non-zero and had a linear relationship with the corresponding changes of axial strain. This applied for both work-softening and work-hardening behaviour. Close links between volumetric strain and microfacturing and between the ratios of stress and of strain increments were revealed. The role of confining pressure was predominant and the mode of deformation was cataclastic for granulated and intact marbles.With 11 Figures