Top

Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering

Published in:

25-06-2022 | Original Paper

Numerical Investigation of the Scale Effects of Rock Bridges

Authors: Fengchang Bu, Lei Xue, Mengyang Zhai, Chao Xu, Yuan Cui

Published in: Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering | Issue 9/2022

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config

AI-assisted search

Off

Abstract

Due to the challenge of measuring rock bridges in the field and the negligence of progressive damage and changes in stresses within a rock mass when defining rock bridges, it is questionable to evaluate mechanical properties of rock bridges using only geometric parameters. A demonstration is the scale effects of rock bridges, because the same geometric parameter may refer to different sizes and numbers of rock bridges, leading to erroneous equivalent rock mass responses. In this context, in-plane rock bridges in rock slope engineering were equivalent to rock bridges subjected to direct shear by conducting numerical simulations employing the Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC) and described by constant geometric parameters, i.e., joint persistence, while the sizes and numbers of rock bridges were variant. In this way, the scale effects of rock bridges were investigated from the perspective of load–displacement curves, stress and displacement fields, crack propagations and AE characterizations. The results revealed that the mechanical properties of rock bridges deteriorated with decreasing scales. More specifically, the shear resistance and the area and value of stress concentration decreased with decreasing scale. Furthermore, an uneven distribution of displacement fields in an arc manner moving and degrading away from the load was observed, indicating the sequential failure of multiple rock bridges. It was also found that the propagation of tensile wing cracks was insensitive to scale, while the asperity of macro shear fracture mainly formed by secondary cracks decreased with decreasing scale. In addition, increasing the dispersion of rock bridges would overlap the failure precursors identified by intense AE activities. Based on the abovementioned results, the scale effects of rock bridges were characterized using existing rock bridge potential (RBP) index and degree of persistence (DoP) index. Interestingly, a scale threshold to possibly identify a rock bridge was found.

previous article Mechanical Characterization and Creep Behavior of a Stone Heritage Material Used in Granada (Spain): Santa Pudia Calcarenite

next article Determining In-Situ Stress State by Anelastic Strain Recovery Method Beneath Xiamen: Implications for the Coastal Region of Southeastern China

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 102.000 Bücher
über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Automobil + Motoren
Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
Finance + Banking
Management + Führung
Marketing + Vertrieb
Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 67.000 Bücher
über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Automobil + Motoren
Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Allersma HGB (2005) Optical analysis of stress and strain in shear zones. In: International Conference on Powders and Grains, Stuttgart, Germany, pp 187–191

Alzo’ubi AK (2012) Modeling of rocks under direct shear loading by using discrete element method. Alhosn Univ J Eng Appl Sci 4:5–20

Asadizadeh M, Moosavi M, Hossaini MF, Masoumi H (2018) Shear strength and cracking process of non-persistent jointed rocks: an extensive experimental investigation. Rock Mech Rock Eng 51(2):415–428. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-017-1328-6CrossRef

Bandis S, Lumsden AC, Barton NR (1981) Experimental studies of scale effects on the shear behaviour of rock joints. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 18(1):1–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(81)90262-XCrossRef

Barton NR, Lien R, Lunde J (1974) Engineering classification of rock masses for the design of tunnel support. Rock Mech 6(4):189–236. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01239496CrossRef

Bieniawski ZT (1973) Engineering classification of jointed rock masses. Civil Eng South Africa 15:335–343

Bu FC, Xue L, Zhai MY, Huang XL, Dong JY, Liang N, Xu C (2022) Evaluation of the characterization of acoustic emission of brittle rocks from the experiment to numerical simulation. Sci Rep 12(1):498. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03910-8CrossRef

Cai M, Kaiser PK, Uno H, Tasaka Y, Minami M (2004) Estimation of rock mass deformation modulus and strength of jointed hard rock masses using the GSI system. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41(1):3–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1365-1609(03)00025-XCrossRef

Cao RH, Cao P, Lin H, Ma GW, Chen Y (2017) Failure characteristics of intermittent fissures under a compressive-shear test: experimental and numerical analyses. Theoret Appl Fract Mech 96:740–757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2017.11.002CrossRef

Chen GQ, Zhang Y, Huang RQ, Guo F, Zhang GF (2015) Failure mechanism of rock bridge based on acoustic emission technique. J Sens. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/964730CrossRef

Chen HR, Qin SQ, Xue L, Yang BC, Zhang K (2022) Universal precursor seismicity pattern before locked-segment rupture and evolutionary rule for landmark earthquakes. Geosci Front 13(3):101314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2021.101314CrossRef

Christianson M, Board M, Rigby D (2006) UDEC simulation of triaxial testing of lithophysal tuff. In: Proceedings of the 41st U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium, Golden, USA, paper ARMA-06-968

Cundall PA, Strack ODL (1979) A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies. Géotechnique 29(1):47–65. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1979.29.1.47CrossRef

Cundall PA, Damjanac B, Varun (2016) Considerations on slope stability in a jointed rock mass. In: 50th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Houston, USA, paper ARMA-2016-339

Dempers GD, Seymour CRW, Jenkins PA (2011) A new approach to assess open pit slope stability. In: Proceedings, Slope Stability 2011: International Symposium on Rock Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining and Civil Engineering, Vancouver, Canada

Dershowitz WS, Einstein HH (1988) Characterizing rock joint geometry with joint system models. Rock Mech Rock Eng 21(1):21–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01019674CrossRef

Diederichs MS, Kaiser PK (1999) Tensile strength and abutment relaxation as failure control mechanisms in underground excavations. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 36(1):69–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0148-9062(98)00179-XCrossRef

Einstein HH, Veneziano D, Baecher GB, O’Reilly KJ (1983) The effect of discontinuity persistence on rock slope stability. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 20(5):227–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(83)90003-7CrossRef

Elmo D, Donati D, Stead D (2018) Challenges in the characterisation of intact rock bridges in rock slopes. Eng Geol 245:81–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.06.014CrossRef

Elmo D, Yang B, Stead D, Rogers S (2021a) A discrete fracture network approach to rock mass classification. In: Barla M, Di Donna A, Sterpi D (eds) Challenges and Innovations in Geomechanics, Proceedings of the 16th International Conference of IACMAG - Volume 1, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Springer, Cham, Switzerland, pp 854–861. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64514-4_92

Elmo D, Stead D, Yang B, Marcato G, Borgatti L (2021b) A new approach to characterise the impact of rock bridges in stability analysis. Rock Mech Rock Eng 1:1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-021-02488-xCrossRef

Fan X, Li KH, Lai HP, Zhao QH, Sun ZH (2018) Experimental and numerical study of the failure behavior of intermittent rock joints subjected to direct shear load. Adv Civil Eng. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4294501CrossRef

Gao FQ, Stead D (2014) The application of a modified Voronoi logic to brittle fracture modelling at the laboratory and field scale. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 68:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2014.02.003CrossRef

Gehle C, Kutter HK (2003) Breakage and shear behaviour of intermittent rock joints. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 40(5):687–700. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1365-1609(03)00060-1CrossRef

Ghazvinian A, Nikudel MR, Sarfarazi V (2007) Effect of rock bridge continuity and area on shear behavior of joints. In: 11th ISRM Congress, Lisbon, Portugal, paper ISRM-11CONGRESS-2007-054

Ghazvinian A, Sarfarazi V, Schubert W, Blumel M (2012) A study of the failure mechanism of planar non-persistent open joints using PFC2D. Rock Mech Rock Eng 45(5):677–693. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-012-0233-2CrossRef

Hencher SR, Richards LR (2015) Assessing the shear strength of rock discontinuities at laboratory and field scales. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48(3):883–905. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-014-0633-6CrossRef

Hoek E, Kaiser PK (1995) Support of underground excavation in hard rock. Balkema, Rotterdam, p 215

Huang XL, Qi SW, Zheng BW, Liang N, Li LH, Xue L, Guo SF, Sun X, Tai DP (2021) An advanced grain-based model to characterize mechanical behaviors of crystalline rocks with different weathering degrees. Eng Geol 280:105951. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2020.105951CrossRef

Itasca (2014) Universal distinct element code (UDEC), version 6.0. Itasca Consulting Group Inc., Minneapolis

Jennings JE (1970) A mathematical theory for the calculation of the stability of open cast mines. In: Proceedings of the Symposium on the Theoretical Background to the Plannings of Open Pit Mines with Special Reference to Slope Stability, Johannesburg, South Africa, pp 87–102

Jiang MJ, Jiang T, Crosta GB, Shi ZM, Chen H, Zhang N (2015) Modeling failure of jointed rock slope with two main joint sets using a novel DEM bond contact model. Eng Geol 193:79–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2015.04.013CrossRef

Jiang YJ, Chen YQ, Cheng XZ, Luan HJ, Zhang SH, Zhao QZ, Han W (2020) Experimental study on shear behavior and acoustic emission characteristics of nonpersistent joints. Geofluids. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8815467CrossRef

Kemeny J (2004) Time-dependent drift degradation due to the progressive failure of rock bridges along discontinuities. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 42(1):35–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.07.001CrossRef

Kemeny J, Roth K, Wu H (2016) Modeling of time-dependent rock failure in Abaqus and PFC3D. In: 50th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Houston, USA, paper ARMA-2016-581

Kim BH, Cai M, Kaiser PK, Yang HS (2007) Estimation of block sizes for rock masses with non-persistent joints. Rock Mech Rock Eng 40(2):169–192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-006-0093-8CrossRef

Lajtai EZ (1969) Strength of discontinuous rocks in direct shear. Géotechnique 19(2):218–233. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1969.19.2.218CrossRef

Lan HX, Martin CD, Hu B (2010) Effect of heterogeneity of brittle rock on micromechanical extensile behavior during compression loading. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 115:B01202. https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JB006496CrossRef

Laubscher DH (1990) A geomechanics classification system for the rating of rock mass in mine design. J South Afr Inst Min Metall 90(10):257–273

Lorig LJ, Cundall PA (1989) Modeling of reinforced concrete using the distinct element method. In: Shah SP, Swartz SE (eds) Fracture of Concrete and Rock, Springer, New York, USA, pp 276–287. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3578-1_28

Moradian Z, Einstein HH, Ballivy G (2016) Detection of cracking levels in brittle rocks by parametric analysis of the acoustic emission signals. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49(3):785–800. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-015-0775-1CrossRef

Muralha J, Grasselli G, Tatone B, Blümel M, Chryssanthakis P, Jiang YJ (2014) ISRM suggested method for laboratory determination of the shear strength of rock joints: revised version. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47(1):291–302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0519-zCrossRef

Park HJ (2005) A new approach for persistence in probabilistic rock slope stability analysis. Geosci J 9(3):287. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02910589CrossRef

Paronuzzi P, Bolla A, Rigo E (2016) 3D stress-strain analysis of a failed limestone wedge influenced by an intact rock bridge. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49(8):3223–3242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-0963-7CrossRef

Prudencio M, Jan MVS (2007) Strength and failure modes of rock mass models with non-persistent joints. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 44(6):890–902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2007.01.005CrossRef

Sarfarazi V, Haeri H (2016) A review of experimental and numerical investigations about crack propagation. Comput Concr 18(2):235–266. https://doi.org/10.12989/CAC.2016.18.2.235CrossRef

Sarfarazi V, Ghazvinian A, Schubert W, Blumel M, Nejati HR (2014) Numerical simulation of the process of fracture of echelon rock joints. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47(4):1355–1371. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0450-3CrossRef

Schultz RA (1996) Relative scale and the strength and deformability of rock masses. J Struct Geol 18(9):1139–1149. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8141(96)00045-4CrossRef

Segall P, Pollard DD (1980) Mechanics of discontinuous faults. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 85(B8):4337–4350. https://doi.org/10.1029/JB085iB08p04337CrossRef

Shang JL, Hencher SR, West LJ, Handley K (2017) Forensic excavation of rock masses: a technique to investigate discontinuity persistence. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50(11):2911–2928. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-017-1290-3CrossRef

Shang JL, Zhao Z, Hu J, Handley K (2018) 3D particle-based DEM investigation into the shear behaviour of incipient rock joints with various geometries of rock bridges. Rock Mech Rock Eng 51(11):3563–3584. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-018-1531-0CrossRef

Stavrou A, Vazaios I, Murphy W, Vlachopoulos N (2019) Refined approaches for estimating the strength of rock blocks. Geotech Geol Eng 37(6):5409–5439. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-019-00989-9CrossRef

Stead D, Eberhardt E (2013) Understanding the mechanics of large landslides. Ital J Eng Geol Environ 6:85–112. https://doi.org/10.4408/IJEGE.2013-06.B-07CrossRef

Tang P, Chen GQ, Huang RQ, Wang D (2021) Effect of the number of coplanar rock bridges on the shear strength and stability of slopes with the same discontinuity persistence. Bull Eng Geol Env 80(1):3675–3691. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02180-yCrossRef

Tatone B, Grasselli G (2015) A combined experimental (micro-CT) and numerical (FDEM) methodology to study rock joint asperities subjected to direct shear. In: 49th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, San Francisco, USA, paper ARMA-2015-304

Terzaghi K (1962) Stability of steep slopes on hard unweathered rock. Géotechnique 12(4):251–270. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1962.12.4.251CrossRef

Wasantha PLP, Ranjith PG, Xu T, Zhao J, Yan YL (2014) A new parameter to describe the persistency of non-persistent joints. Eng Geol 181:71–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.08.003CrossRef

Wong RHC, Leung WL, Wang SW (2001) Shear strength studies on rock-like models containing arrayed open joints. In: 38th U.S. Symposium on Rock Mechanics, Washington, USA, paper ARMA-01-0843

Xue L, Qin SQ, Li P, Li GL, Oyediran IA, Pan XH (2014a) New quantitative displacement criteria for slope deformation process: from the onset of the accelerating creep to brittle rupture and final failure. Eng Geol 182:79–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.08.007CrossRef

Xue L, Qin SQ, Sun Q, Wang YY, Lee LM, Li WC (2014b) A study on crack damage stress thresholds of different rock types based on uniaxial compression tests. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47(4):1183–1195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0479-3CrossRef

Yang XX, Kulatilake PHSW (2019) Laboratory investigation of mechanical behavior of granite samples containing discontinuous joints through direct shear tests. Arab J Geosci 12(3):79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4278-3CrossRef

Yang SQ, Dai YH, Han LJ, Jin ZQ (2009) Experimental study on mechanical behavior of brittle marble samples containing different flaws under uniaxial compression. Eng Fract Mech 76(12):1833–1845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2009.04.005CrossRef

Zare S, Karimi-Nasab S, Jalalifar H (2021) Analysis and determination of the behavioral mechanism of rock bridges using experimental and numerical modeling of non-persistent rock joints. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 141:104714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2021.104714CrossRef

Zhang XP, Wong LNY (2012) Cracking processes in rock-like material containing a single flaw under uniaxial compression: a numerical study based on parallel bonded-particle model approach. Rock Mech Rock Eng 45(5):711–737. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-011-0176-zCrossRef

Zhang XP, Wong LNY (2014) Displacement field analysis for cracking processes in bonded-particle model. Bull Eng Geol Env 73(1):13–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-013-0496-1CrossRef

Zhang HQ, Zhao ZY, Tang CA, Song L (2005) Numerical study of shear behavior of intermittent rock joints with different geometrical parameters. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 43(5):802–816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2005.12.006CrossRef

Zhong Z, Huang D, Zhang YF, Ma GW (2020) Experimental study on the effects of unloading normal stress on shear mechanical behaviour of sandstone containing a parallel fissure pair. Rock Mech Rock Eng 53(4):1647–1663. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-019-01997-0CrossRef

Title: Numerical Investigation of the Scale Effects of Rock Bridges
Authors: Fengchang Bu
Lei Xue
Mengyang Zhai
Chao Xu
Yuan Cui
Publication date: 25-06-2022
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering / Issue 9/2022
Print ISSN: 0723-2632
Electronic ISSN: 1434-453X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-022-02952-2

Springer Professional

Abstract

Please log in to get access to your license.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Springer Professional "Technik"

Other articles of this Issue 9/2022

Role of Fractal Effect in Predicting Crack Initiation Angle and Its Application in Hydraulic Fracturing

Transverse Cracking of Rock with a Dissimilar Inclusion Under Tension: Effect of Loading Rate and Inclusion Diameter

On the Influence of Sampling Scale on the In Situ Block Size Distribution

The Dynamic Deformation Properties of Rock Materials Under Different Types of Seismic Load

Investigation on Damage and Failure Mechanisms of Roadway Surrounding Rock Triggered by Dynamic–Static Combined Loads

Similar Material Proportioning and Preparation of Ductile Surrounding Rocks for Simulating In Situ Coalbed methane Production from Tectonically Deformed Coals