Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental and Numerical Study on Failure Modes and Shear Strength Parameters of Rock-Like Specimens Containing Two Infilled Flaws

  • Research paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Civil Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To investigate the influence of infilled flaws on mechanical properties and failure modes of rock masses, seven types of pre-existing infilled two-flaw specimens, which have different flaw inclination angle (α), rock bridge length (L2) and rock bridge inclination angle (β), were made from concrete. The crack coalescence process, failure modes and mechanical parameters of the specimens under triaxial or biaxial compression were studied by lab test and numerical tests, respectively. According to test results, two failure modes of specimen (shear failure, tensile–shear failure) and three rock bridge coalescence modes (tensile crack coalescence, shear crack coalescence, no coalescence) were identified. As the rock bridge length and inclination angle increase, the peak strengths of specimens also increase gradually, while the peak strengths of specimens decrease with flaw inclination angle being increase. The shear strength parameters (cohesion c and internal friction angle φ) of samples show nonlinear changes with various factors (flaw angle, rock bridge length, rock bridge angle). The particle flow code (PFC) was used to simulate the propagation process of microcracks and porosities, stress–strain curves for loading process were also obtained, numerical results are in good agreement with experimental results. The number of cracks and porosities increase rapidly in the post-peak stage, and a significant shear fracture zone was caused by cracks. This study provides a better understanding of peak strength and cracking behaviour of rock mass containing infilled flaws.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Moghadami M, Mortazavi A (2018) Development of a risk-based methodology for rock slope analysis. Int J Civ Eng 16(10):1317–1328

    Google Scholar 

  2. Huang X, Liu QS, Liu B, Liu XW, Pan YC, Liu JP (2017) Experimental study on the dilatancy and fracturing behavior of soft rock under unloading conditions. Int J Civ Eng 15(6):921–948

    Google Scholar 

  3. Tokiwa T, Tsusaka K, Aoyagi K (2018) Fracture characterization and rock mass damage induced by different excavation methods in the Horonobe URL of Japan. Int J Civ Eng 16(4):371–381

    Google Scholar 

  4. Gratchev I, Kim DH, Yeung CK (2016) Strength of rock-like specimens with pre-existing cracks of different length and width. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49(11):4491–4496

    Google Scholar 

  5. Haeri H, Shahriar K, Marji MF, Moarefvand P (2014) Cracks coalescence mechanism and cracks propagation paths in rock-like specimens containing pre-existing random cracks under compression. J Cent South Univ 21(6):2404–2414

    Google Scholar 

  6. Abdollahipour A, Fatehi MM (2017) Analyses of inclined cracks neighboring two iso-path cracks in rock-like specimens under compression. Geotech Geol Eng 35(1):169–181

    Google Scholar 

  7. Fan X, Li KH, Lai HP, Xie YL, Cao RH, Zheng J (2018) Internal stress distribution and cracking around flaws and openings of rock block under uniaxial compression: a particle mechanics approach. Comput Geotech 102:28–38

    Google Scholar 

  8. 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 Civ Eng 2018:1–19

    Google Scholar 

  9. Sun SR, Sun HY, Wang YJ, Wei JH, Liu J, Kanungo DP (2014) Effect of the combination characteristics of rock structural plane on the stability of a rock-mass slope. Bull Eng Geol Environ 73(4):987–995

    Google Scholar 

  10. Cao RH, Cao P, Lin H, Pu CZ, Ou K (2016) Mechanical behavior of brittle rock-like specimens with pre-existing fissures under uniaxial loading: experimental studies and particle mechanics approach. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49(3):763–783

    Google Scholar 

  11. Zhao YL, Zhang LY, Wang WJ, Pu CZ, Wan W, Tang JZ (2016) Cracking and stress–strain behavior of rock-like material containing two flaws under uniaxial compression. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49(7):2665–2687

    Google Scholar 

  12. Cao P, Liu TY, Pu CZ, Lin H (2015) Crack propagation and coalescence of brittle rock-like specimens with pre-existing cracks in compression. Eng Geol 187:113–121

    Google Scholar 

  13. Wang M, Cao P, Wan W, Zhao YL, Liu J, Liu JS (2017) Crack growth analysis for rock-like materials with ordered multiple pre-cracks under bi axial compression. J Cent South Univ 24(4):866–874

    Google Scholar 

  14. Huang YH, Yang SQ, Tian WL, Zeng W, Yu LY (2016) An experimental study on fracture mechanical behavior of rock-like materials containing two unparallel fissures under uniaxial compression. Acta Mech Sin 32(3):442–455

    Google Scholar 

  15. Feng P, Dai F, Liu Y, Xu NW, Du HB (2019) Coupled effects of static-dynamic strain rates on the mechanical and fracturing behaviors of rock-like specimens containing two unparallel fissures. Eng Fract Mech 207:237–253

    Google Scholar 

  16. Wang M, Cao P (2017) Experimental study of crack growth in rock-like materials containing multiple parallel pre-existing flaws under biaxial compression. Geotech Geol Eng 35(3):1023–1034

    Google Scholar 

  17. Xiao TL, Huang M, Cheng C, He YL (2018) Experimental investigation on the mechanical characteristics and deformation behavior of fractured rock-like material with one single fissure under the conventional triaxial compression. Shock Vib 2018:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  18. Mirzaghorbanali A, Nemcik J, Aziz N (2014) Effects of cyclic loading on the shear behavior of infilled rock joints under constant normal stiffness conditions. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47(4):1373–1391

    Google Scholar 

  19. Liu RC, Jing HW, He LX, Zhu TT, Yu LY, Su HJ (2017) An experimental study of the effect of fillings on hydraulic properties of single fractures. Environ Earth Sci 76(20):684

    Google Scholar 

  20. Shrivastava AK, Rao KS (2018) Physical modeling of shear behavior of infilled rock joints under CNL and CNS boundary conditions. Rock Mech Rock Eng 51(1):101–118

    Google Scholar 

  21. Jahanian H, Sadaghiani MH (2015) Experimental study on the shear strength of sandy clay infilled regular rough rock joints. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48(3):907–922

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ma H, Liu QS (2017) Prediction of the peak shear strength of sandstone and mudstone joints infilled with high water-cement ratio grouts. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50(8):2021–2037

    Google Scholar 

  23. Sagong M, Bobet A (2002) Coalescence of multiple flaws in a rock-model material in uniaxial compression. Int J Rock Mech Min 39(2):229–241

    Google Scholar 

  24. Yu J, Chen X, Cai YY, Li H (2016) Triaxial test research on mechanical properties and permeability of sandstone with a single joint filled with gypsum. KSCE J Civ Eng 20(6):2243–2252

    Google Scholar 

  25. Papaliangas T, Hencher SR, Lumsden AC, Manolopoulou S (1993) The effect of frictional fill thickness on the shear strength of rock discontinuities. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 30(2):81–91

    Google Scholar 

  26. Saeb S, Amadei B (1992) Modelling rock joints under shear and normal loading. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 29(3):267–278

    Google Scholar 

  27. Indraratna B, Welideniya HS, Brown ET (2005) A shear strength model for idealised infilled joints under constant normal stiffness. Geotechnique 55(3):215–226

    Google Scholar 

  28. Liu J, Wang J (2018) Stress evolution of rock-like specimens containing a single fracture under uniaxial loading: a numerical study based on particle flow code. Geotech Geol Eng 36(1):567–580

    Google Scholar 

  29. Li G, Liang ZZ, Tang CA (2015) Morphologic interpretation of rock failure mechanisms under uniaxial compression based on 3D multiscale high-resolution numerical modeling. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48(6):2235–2262

    Google Scholar 

  30. Tang CA, Lin P, Wong RHC, Chau KT (2001) Analysis of crack coalescence in rock-like materials containing three flaws—Part II: numerical approach. Int J Rock Mech Min 38(7):925–939

    Google Scholar 

  31. Wong RHC, Tang CA, Chau KT, Lin P (2002) Splitting failure in brittle rocks containing pre-existing flaws under uniaxial compression. Eng Fract Mech 69(17):1853–1871

    Google Scholar 

  32. Liu HY, Zhang YD (2018) Numerical simulation of the failure process and mechanical behavior of a rock material with nonpersistent cracks under compression. Arab J Sci Eng 43(7):3673–3683

    Google Scholar 

  33. Cheng H, Zhou XP, Zhu J, Qian QH (2016) The Effects of crack openings on crack initiation, propagation and coalescence behavior in rock-like materials under uniaxial compression. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49(9):3481–3494

    Google Scholar 

  34. Chong Z, Li X, Yao Q, Zhang J, Chen T (2016) Anchorage behavior of reinforced specimens containing a single fissure under uniaxial loading: a particle mechanics approach. Arab J Geosci 9(12):592

    Google Scholar 

  35. Yin Q, Jing H, Su H (2018) Investigation on mechanical behavior and crack coalescence of sandstone specimens containing fissure-hole combined flaws under uniaxial compression. Geosci J 22(5):825–842

    Google Scholar 

  36. Le HL, Sun SR, Kulatilake P, Wei JH (2018) Effect of grout on mechanical properties and cracking behavior of rock-like specimens containing a single flaw under uniaxial compression. Int J Geomech 18(10):04018129

    Google Scholar 

  37. Wong RHC, Chau KT (1998) Crack coalescence in a rock-like material containing two cracks. Int J Rock Mech Min 35(2):147–164

    Google Scholar 

  38. ASTM (2004) Standard test method for triaxial compressive strength of undrained rock core specimens without pore pressure measurements (Withdrawn 2005), ASTM D2664-04. ASTM, West Conshohocken, PA

    Google Scholar 

  39. Lajtai EZ (1974) Brittle fracture in compression. Int J Fract 10(4):525–536

    Google Scholar 

  40. Bobet A (2000) The initiation of secondary cracks in compression. Eng Fract Mech 66(2):187–219

    Google Scholar 

  41. Yang SQ, Jing HW (2011) Strength failure and crack coalescence behavior of brittle sandstone samples containing a single fissure under uniaxial compression. Int J Fract 168(2):227–250

    Google Scholar 

  42. Park CH, Bobet A (2009) Crack coalescence in specimens with open and closed flaws: a comparison. Int J Rock Mech Min 46(5):819–829

    Google Scholar 

  43. Wong LNY, Einstein HH (2009) Systematic evaluation of cracking behavior in specimens containing single flaws under uniaxial compression. Int J Rock Mech Min 46(2):239–249

    Google Scholar 

  44. Sun HY (2015) Research on fracture mechanism of non-penetrative jointed rock mass based on random structure plane. Master thesis, Hohai University, Nanjing (in Chinese)

  45. Le HL, Sun SR, Wei JH (2019) Influence of types of grouting materials on compressive strength and crack behavior of rocklike specimens with single grout-infilled flaw under axial loads. J Mater Civ Eng 31(1):06018022

    Google Scholar 

  46. Zhuang XY, Chun JW, Zhu HH (2014) A comparative study on unfilled and filled crack propagation for rock-like brittle material. Theor Appl Fract Mech 72(1):110–120

    Google Scholar 

  47. Cho N, Martin CD, Sego DC (2007) A clumped particle model for rock. Int J Rock Mech Min 44(7):997–1010

    Google Scholar 

  48. Potyondy DO, Cundall PA (2004) A bonded-particle model for rock. Int J Rock Mech Min 41(8):1329–1364

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study is financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (nos. 41672258, 41102162). The authors would also like to acknowledge the editors and reviewers of this paper for their very helpful comments and valuable remarks.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

    Wuchao Wang, Shaorui Sun, Huilin Le, Feng Zhu, Haotian Fan & Yong Liu

  2. China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co. Ltd., Chengdu, Jiangsu, China

    Yang Shu

Authors
  1. Wuchao Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shaorui Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Huilin Le
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yang Shu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Feng Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Haotian Fan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yong Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shaorui Sun.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, W., Sun, S., Le, H. et al. Experimental and Numerical Study on Failure Modes and Shear Strength Parameters of Rock-Like Specimens Containing Two Infilled Flaws. Int J Civ Eng 17, 1895–1908 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-019-00449-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-019-00449-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation