Abstract
Columnar joint is a special geological structure with self-organized joint network which separates the rock into an assemblage of blocks. The mechanic characteristics of irregular columnar-jointed rock mass (ICJRM) are dependent not only on the intact rock material but also on unique types of columnar joints. In effort to understand the anisotropic mechanic characteristics of ICJRM by the inherent anisotropic nature of the jointed structure, we conducted a series of uniaxial compression tests. Experiments were performed on an artificial ICJRM of 50 mm in diameter and 100 mm high. The “intact material” consisted of cement mortar and the columnar joints of photosensitive resins. The columnar joint in the specimen was made into six different orientations: 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°, respectively, so observe the deformation behavior and failure modes of ICJRM with different various angles between the loading orientation and columnar joint were observed. Based on the analysis of the test results, the uniaxial compression strength and elastic modulus of ICJRM showed strong anisotropic behavior along with a special “U” shape in response to the angle between the loading orientation and columnar joint. Furthermore, the failure modes of ICJRM was observed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Black, G. P. (1954). “The acid rocks of western Rhum.” Geological Magazine, Vol. 91, No. 4, pp. 257–272.
Brady, B. H. and Brown, E. T. (2013). Rock mechanics: for underground mining, Springer Science & Business Media.
Budkewitsch, P. and Robin, P.-Y. (1994). “Modelling the evolution of columnar joints.” Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, Vol. 59, No. 3, pp. 219–239.
Chakraborty, A., Jethwa, J., and Paithankar, A. (1994). “Effects of joint orientation and rock mass quality on tunnel blasting.” Engineering geology, Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 247–262.
Chenevert, M. and Gatlin, C. (1965). “Mechanical anisotropies of laminated sedimentary rocks.” Society of Petroleum Engineers Journal, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 67–77.
Di, S.-J., Xu, W.-Y., Ning, Y., Wang, W., and Wu, G.-Y. (2011). “Macromechanical properties of columnar jointed basaltic rock masses.” China. Journal of Central South University of Technology, Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 2143–2149.
Goodman, R. E., Taylor, R. L., and Brekke, T. L. (1968). “A model for the mechanics of jointed rock.” Journal of Soil Mechanics & Foundations Div.
Jaeger, J. C., Cook, N. G., and Zimmerman, R. (2009). Fundamentals of rock mechanics, John Wiley & Sons.
Jiang, Q., Feng, X.-T., Hatzor, Y. H., Hao, X.-J., and LI, S.-J. (2014). “Mechanical anisotropy of columnar jointed basalts: An example from the Baihetan hydropower station.” Engineering Geology, Vol. 3, No. 175, pp.35–45.
King, M., Myer, L., and Rezowalli, J. (1986). “Experimental studies of elastic-wave propagation in a columnar-jointed rock mass.” Geophysical prospecting, Vol. 34, No. 8, pp. 1185–1199.
Ladanyi, B. and Archambault, G. (1969). Simulation of shear behavior of a jointed rock mass, The 11th Symposium on Rock Mechanics (USRMS), American Rock Mechanics Association.
Liu, H.-N., Wang, J.-M., and Wang, S.-J. (2010). “Experimental research of columnar jointed basalt with true triaxial apparatus at Baihetan Hydropower Station, China.” Rock and Soil Mechanics, S1.
Prudencio, M. and Jan, M. V. S. (2007). “Strength and failure modes of rock mass models with non-persistent joints.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 44, No. 6, pp. 890–902.
Rezapour, A. (0000). Nov-2015. Modeling of Mechanical Behaviour of Anisotropic Rocks.
Shi, A., Tang, M., and Zhou, Q. (2008). “Research of deformation characteristics of columnar jointed basalt at Baihetan hydropower station on Jin-Sha River, China.” Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 27, No. 10, pp. 2079–2086.
Spry, A. (1962). “The origin of columnar jointing, particularly in basalt flows.” Journal of the Geological Society of Australia, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 191–216.
Tomkeieff, S. I. (1940). “The basalt lavas of the Giant’s Causeway district of Northern Ireland.” Bulletin Volcanologique, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 89–143.
Wei, Y., Xu, M., Wang, W., Shi, A., Tang, M., and Ye, Z. (2011). “Feasibility of columnar jointed basalt used for high-arch dam foundation.” Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 3, No. Z1, pp. 461–468.
Xiao, W.-M., Deng, R.-G., Zhong, Z.-B., Fu, X.-M., and Wang, C.-Y. (2014). “Experimental study on the mechanical properties of simulated columnar jointed rock masses.” Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 80.
Xu, W.-Y., Wang, R.-B., Wang, W., Zhang, Z.-L., Zhang, J.-C., and Wang, W.-Y. (2012). “Creep properties and permeability evolution in triaxial rheological tests of hard rock in dam foundation, China.” Journal of Central South University, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 252–261.
Yang, Z., Chen, J., and Huang, T. (1998). “Effect of joint sets on the strength and deformation of rock mass models.” International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 75–84.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lin, Z., Xu, W., Wang, H. et al. Anisotropic characteristic of irregular columnar-jointed rock mass based on physical model test. KSCE J Civ Eng 21, 1728–1734 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-016-1796-3
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-016-1796-3