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Study on the Failure Mechanism of Basalts with Columnar Joints in the Unloading Process on the Basis of an Experimental Cavity

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Abstract

Basalt with columnar joints is a kind of jointed rock body cut by both original joints and aphanitic microcracks. After unloading during excavation, such rock bodies manifest obvious mechanical phenomena such as discontinuities, anisotropy, and liability to fracture. In this work, the failure modes of basalts with columnar joints are studied based on monitoring of test tunnels on the one hand, and also through the mechanical properties of the original joints and those of microfissures of aphanitic microcracks in the unloading process analyzed by a discrete element method using a strain-softening constitutive model. Through comprehensive analysis of the numerical simulation results and the monitored behaviors of the basalts with columnar joints, their failure mechanisms are revealed, which may provide a basis for choosing suitable support plans for this kind of rock mass.

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Acknowledgments

Supported by the Key Projects in the National Science and Technology Pillar Program during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan Period (projects 2013BAB02B01 and 2013BAB02B03), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (projects 51274055, 51204030, 51204031, and 51109035), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (projects N110401006, N110501001, and N110401003).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center for Safe Deep Mining, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China

    Changyu Jin, Chengxiang Yang & Shuai Xu

  2. East China Hydropower Investigation and Design Institute, CHECC, Hangzhou, 310014, China

    Dan Fang

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  1. Changyu Jin
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  2. Chengxiang Yang
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  3. Dan Fang
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  4. Shuai Xu
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Correspondence to Changyu Jin.

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Jin, C., Yang, C., Fang, D. et al. Study on the Failure Mechanism of Basalts with Columnar Joints in the Unloading Process on the Basis of an Experimental Cavity. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48, 1275–1288 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-014-0625-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-014-0625-6

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