Optimizing profile line interval for enhanced accuracy in rock joint morphology and shear strength assessments

2D profile lines play a critical role in cost-effectively evaluating rock joint properties and shear strength.However, the interval(ΔI_(L)) between these lines significantly impacts roughness and shear strength assessments. A detailed study of 45 joint samples using four statistical measures across 500 different ΔI_(L)values identified a clear line interval effect with two stages: stable and fluctuation-discrete.Further statistical analysis showed a linear relationship between the error bounds of four parameters,shear strength evaluation, and their corresponding maximum ΔI_(L)values, where the gradient k of this linear relationship was influenced by the basic friction angle and normal stress. Accounting for these factors,lower-limit linear models were employed to determine the optimal ΔI_(L)values that met error tolerances(1%–10%) for all metrics and shear strength. The study also explored the consistent size effect on joints regardless of ΔI_(L)changes, revealing three types of size effects based on morphological heterogeneity.Notably, larger joints required generally higher ΔI_(L)to maintain the predefined error limits, suggesting an increased interval for large joint analyses. Consequently, this research provides a basis for determining the optimal ΔI_(L), improving accuracy in 2D profile line assessments of joint characteristics.

A roughness parameter considering joint material properties and peak shear strength model for rock joints

This study aims at proposing a reasonable roughness parameter that can reflect the peak shear strength(PSS)of rock joints.Firstly,the contribution of the asperities with different apparent dip angles to shear strength is studied.Then the shear strength of the entire joint asperities is derived.The results showed that the PSS of the entire joint asperities is proportional to a key parameter hs,which is related to the geometric character of the joint surface and the joint material properties.The parameter hsis taken as the new roughness parameter,and it is reasonable to associate the PSS with the geometric characteristics of the joint surface.Based on the new roughness parameter and shear test results of 20 sets of joint specimens,a new PSS model for rock joints is proposed.The new model is validated with the artificial joints in this paper and real rock joints in published studies.Results showed that it is suitable for different types of rock joints except for gneiss joints.The new model has the form of the Mohr-Coulomb model,which can directly reflect the relationship between the 3 D roughness parameters and the peak dilation angle.

A method to predict the peak shear strength of rock joints based on machine learning

In geotechnical and tunneling engineering,accurately determining the mechanical properties of jointed rock holds great significance for project safety assessments.Peak shear strength(PSS),being the paramount mechanical property of joints,has been a focal point in the research field.There are limitations in the current peak shear strength(PSS)prediction models for jointed rock:(i)the models do not comprehensively consider various influencing factors,and a PSS prediction model covering seven factors has not been established,including the sampling interval of the joints,the surface roughness of the joints,the normal stress,the basic friction angle,the uniaxial tensile strength,the uniaxial compressive strength,and the joint size for coupled joints;(ii)the datasets used to train the models are relatively limited;and(iii)there is a controversy regarding whether compressive or tensile strength should be used as the strength term among the influencing factors.To overcome these limitations,we developed four machine learning models covering these seven influencing factors,three relying on Support Vector Regression(SVR)with different kernel functions(linear,polynomial,and Radial Basis Function(RBF))and one using deep learning(DL).Based on these seven influencing factors,we compiled a dataset comprising the outcomes of 493 published direct shear tests for the training and validation of these four models.We compared the prediction performance of these four machine learning models with Tang’s and Tatone’s models.The prediction errors of Tang’s and Tatone’s models are 21.8%and 17.7%,respectively,while SVR_linear is at 16.6%,SVR_poly is at 14.0%,and SVR_RBF is at 12.1%.DL outperforms the two existing models with only an 8.5%error.Additionally,we performed shear tests on granite joints to validate the predictive capability of the DL-based model.With the DL approach,the results suggest that uniaxial tensile strength is recommended as the material strength term in the PSS model for more reliable outcomes.

Shear strength criteria for rock,rock joints,rockfill and rock masses:Problems and some solutions

Although many intact rock types can be very strong,a critical confining pressure can eventually be reached in triaxial testing,such that the Mohr shear strength envelope becomes horizontal.This critical state has recently been better defined,and correct curvature or correct deviation from linear Mohr-Coulomb（MC） has finally been found.Standard shear testing procedures for rock joints,using multiple testing of the same sample,in case of insufficient samples,can be shown to exaggerate apparent cohesion.Even rough joints do not have any cohesion,but instead have very high friction angles at low stress,due to strong dilation.Rock masses,implying problems of large-scale interaction with engineering structures,may have both cohesive and frictional strength components.However,it is not correct to add these,following linear M-C or nonlinear Hoek-Brown（H-B） standard routines.Cohesion is broken at small strain,while friction is mobilized at larger strain and remains to the end of the shear deformation.The criterion ＇c then σn tan φ＇ should replace ＇c plus σn tan φ＇ for improved fit to reality.Transformation of principal stresses to a shear plane seems to ignore mobilized dilation,and caused great experimental difficulties until understood.There seems to be plenty of room for continued research,so that errors of judgement of the last 50 years can be corrected.

Effect of roughness on the shear behavior of rock joints subjected to impact loading

The shear behavior is regarded as the dominant property of rock joints and is dramatically affected by the joint surface roughness.To date,the effect of surface roughness on the shear behavior of rock joints under static or cyclic loading conditions has been extensively studied,but such effect under impact loading conditions keeps unclear.To address this issue,a series of impact shear tests was performed using a novel-designed dynamic experimental system combined with the digital image correlation(DIC)technique.The dynamic shear strength,deformability and failure mode of the jointed specimens with various joint roughness coefficients(JRC)are comprehensively analyzed.Results show that the shear strength and shear displacement characteristics of the rock joint under the impact loading keep consistent with those under static loading conditions.However,the temporal variations of shear stress,slip displacement and normal displacement under the impact loading conditions show obviously different behaviors.An elastic rebound of the slip displacement occurs during the impact shearing and its value increases with increasing joint roughness.Two identifiable stages(i.e.compression and dilation)are observed in the normal displacement curves for the rougher rock joints,whereas the joints with small roughness only manifest normal compression displacement.Besides,as the roughness increases,the maximum compression tends to decrease,while the maximum dilation gradually increases.More-over,the microstructural analysis based on scanning electron microscope(SEM)suggests that the roughness significantly affects the characteristics of the shear fractured zone enclosing the joint surface.

Analytical large deformation shear strength for bolted rough discontinuous rock

Presented a new analytical model for studying the shear-tensile large deforma-tion behavior near the vicinity of joint interface for bolted rough discontinuous rock, and presented the formulation estimating global shear strength for bolted joints under shear-ing-tensile loads. The analytical strength curves of bolts contribution on reinforced discon-tinuous rocks as the function of joint displacements or deformation angle of a bolt at rock joints was obtained. Based on Barton’s equation on JRC roughness profiles, the theoreti-cal shearing strength of bolted rough joints was also established. Test results on bolted granite and marble specimen confirm the validity of the analytical approach.

New criterion for rock joints based on three-dimensional roughness parameters

The shear behavior of rock joints is important in solving practical problems of rock mechanics. Three group rock joints with different morphologies are made by cement mortar material and a series of CNL(constant normal loading) shear tests are performed. The influences of the applied normal stress and joint morphology to its shear strength are analyzed. According to the experimental results, the peak dilatancy angle of rock joint decreases with increasing normal stress, but increases with increasing roughness. The shear strength increases with the increasing normal stress and the roughness of rock joint. It is observed that the modes of failure of asperities are tensile, pure shear, or a combination of both. It is suggested that the three-dimensional roughness parameters and the tensile strength are the appropriate parameter for describing the shear strength criterion. A new peak shear criterion is proposed which can be used to predict peak shear strength of rock joints. All the used parameters can be easily obtained by performing tests.

Discrete modeling of rock joints with a smooth-joint contact model

Structural defects such as joints or faults are inherent to almost any rock mass.In many situations those defects have a major impact on slope stability as they can control the possible failure mechanisms.Having a good estimate of their strength then becomes crucial.The roughness of a structure is a major contributor to its strength through two different aspects,i.e.the morphology of the surface(or the shape)and the strength of the asperities(related to the strength of the rock).In the current state of practice,roughness is assessed through idealized descriptions(Patton strength criterion)or through empirical parameters(Barton JRC).In both cases,the multi-dimensionality of the roughness is ignored.In this study,we propose to take advantage of the latest developments in numerical techniques.With3D photogrammetry and/or laser mapping,practitioners have access to the real morphology of an exposed structure.The derived triangulated surface was introduced into the DEM(discrete element method)code PFC3D to create a synthetic rock joint.The interaction between particles on either side of the discontinuity was described by a smooth-joint model(SJM),hence suppressing the artificial roughness introduced by the particle discretization.Shear tests were then performed on the synthetic rock joint.A good correspondence between strengths predicted by the model and strengths derived from well-established techniques was obtained for thefirst time.Amongst the benefits of the methodology is the possibility offered by the model to be used in a quantitative way for shear strength estimates,to reproduce the progressive degradation of the asperities upon shearing and to analyze structures of different scales without introducing any empirical relation.

Rock joint coefficients and their computerized classification

A computerized method for determining rock joint coefficients is presented.Two relative similarity indicators are introduced to classify surface morphology of rock joints.The classification enables to compare investigated and database rock joints.Such a comparison aims at finding the couple of surfaces that are distinguished by the highest dynamical conformity.The first absolute indicator results from the Fourier matrix and evaluates wavy shapes of surfaces.The second absolute indicator quantifies the heights of surface reliefs and is defined as the root mean square height of the surface outline.Numerical reliability of these indicators is tested within the surface analysis of a series of limestone specimens.Besides the computerized assessment,25 people have performed visual assessment of these limestone specimens.The results of visual assessments have been statistically processed and compared to the results received from the computerized procedure.The newly introduced absolute indicators have proved to be prospective numerical tools for evaluating joint rock coefficients.

Some remarks on the dynamical conformity of rock joints

A recently developed computerized method for assessing the rock joint coefficients is discussed. The performances of formerly introduced relative similarity indicators, along with the correlation coefficient, are subjected to critical analysis. These relative numerical indicators are replaced by two absolute indicators whose properties better describe surface textures of rock joints. The first absolute indicator results from the Fourier Matrix and evaluates wavy shapes of surfaces. The second absolute indicator quantifies the heights of surface reliefs, and is defined as the root mean square height of the surface outline. The behavior of the newly introduced numerical indicators are investigated by means of the deterministic periodic surface reliefs. The practical application of the new indicators is presented and the convenient performances of both the indicators are documented.

Disc-cutter induced rock breakage mechanism for TBM excavation in rock masses with different joint shear strengths

When tunnel boring machines(TBMs)excavate through jointed rock masses,the cutting efficiency is strongly affected by the shear strength of joints,the mechanism of which,however,remains poorly understood.In this study,a series of disc-cutter indentation tests were conducted on granite rock mass specimens with different joint shear strengths.During the indentation,the cracking process was recorded by a digital image correlation(DIC)system.The deformation and strength of specimens,cracking behavior,rock breakage mode and cutting efficiency were quantitatively investigated.In addition,to investigate the combined effects of joint shear strength,orientation and spacing on the rock breakage mechanism,numerical rock mass models were established based on a particle flow code PFC2D.Experimental results reveal that the cracking of primary and secondary cracks changes from the mixed shear-tensile to tensile mode in the initial stage,while the joint shear strength does not affect the cracking mode in the subsequent propagation process.The rock breakage mode is classified to an internal block breakage mode,a cross-joint breakage mode and a cutters-dependent breakage mode.The cross-joint breakage mode is optimal for improving the cutting efficiency.Numerical simulation results reveal that the increase in the joint shear strength changes the internal block breakage mode to cross-joint breakage mode for rock masses of particular ranges of joint orientation and spacing.These findings provide basis for improving the TBM cutting efficiency through jointed rock masses.

A new integrated intelligent computing paradigm for predicting joints shear strength

Joints shear strength is a critical parameter during the design and construction of geotechnical engineering structures.The prevailing models mostly adopt the form of empirical functions,employing mathematical regression techniques to represent experimental data.As an alternative approach,this paper proposes a new integrated intelligent computing paradigm that aims to predict joints shear strength.Five metaheuristic optimization algorithms,including the chameleon swarm algorithm(CSA),slime mold algorithm,transient search optimization algorithm,equilibrium optimizer and social network search algorithm,were employed to enhance the performance of the multilayered perception(MLP)model.Efficiency comparisons were conducted between the proposed CSA-MLP model and twelve classical models,employing statistical indicators such as root mean square error(RMSE),correlation coefficient(R2),mean absolute error(MAE),and variance accounted for(VAF)to evaluate the performance of each model.The sensitivity analysis of parameters that impact joints shear strength was conducted.Finally,the feasibility and limitations of this study were discussed.The results revealed that,in comparison to other models,the CSA-MLP model exhibited the most appropriate performance in terms of R2(0.88),RMSE(0.19),MAE(0.15),and VAF(90.32%)values.The result of sensitivity analysis showed that the normal stress and the joint roughness coefficient were the most critical factors influencing joints shear strength.This paper presented an efficacious attempt toward swift prediction of joints shear strength,thus avoiding the need for costly in-site and laboratory tests.

Investigation on jointed rock strength based on fractal theory

Strength of discontinuities with complex structure is an important topic in rock engineering.A large number of studies have shown that fractal is applicable in the description of this discontinuity.Using fractal interpolation method for the generation of rock joints,numerical experiments of shear tests of the jointed rock mass model were carried out using FLAC^(3D).The test results show that the real rock joints can be simulated by fractal curves obtained by fractal interpolation.The fractal dimension is an important factor for the characterization of jointed rock mass;test results show that the fractal dimension of rock joints can be related to the equivalent cohesion strength and shear strength of the rock mass.When the fractal dimension of the joint surface is less than critical dimension Dc 1.404,the cohesion strength and shear strength of the rock mass increase as the fractal dimension increases;for larger fractal dimensions,all mechanical parameters decrease as the fractal dimension increases.Joint surfaces with different degrees of roughness were obtained by the fractal interpolation method.Three types of failure modes were observed in the tests:climbing slip failure,climbing gnawing fracture,and non-climbing gnawing fracture.

Advances in joint roughness coefficient (JRC) and its engineering applications

The joint roughness coefficient (JRC), introduced in Barton (1973) represented a new method in rock mechanics and rock engineering to deal with problems related to joint roughness and shear strength estimation. It has the advantages of its simple form, easy estimation, and explicit consideration of scale effects, which make it the most widely accepted parameter for roughness quantification since it was proposed. As a result, JRC has attracted the attention of many scholars who have developed JRC-related methods in many areas, such as geological engineering, multidisciplinary geosciences, mining mineral processing, civil engineering, environmental engineering, and water resources. Because of such a developing trend, an overview of JRC is presented here to provide a clear perspective on the concepts, methods, applications, and trends related to its extensions. This review mainly introduces the origin and connotation of JRC, JRC-related roughness measurement, JRC estimation methods, JRC-based roughness characteristics investigation, JRC-based rock joint property description, JRC's influence on rock mass properties, and JRC-based rock engineering applications. Moreover, the representativeness of the joint samples and the determination of the sampling interval for rock joint roughness measurements are discussed. In the future, the existing JRC-related methods will likely be further improved and extended in rock engineering.

Experimental study and stress analysis of rock bolt anchorage performance

A new method was developed to apply pull-and-shear loads to the bolt specimen in order to evaluate theanchorage performance of the rebar bolt and the D-Bolt. In the tests, five displacing angles （0°, 20°, 40°,60°, and 90°）, two joint gaps （0 mm and 30 mm）, and three kinds of host rock materials （weak concrete,strong concrete, and concrete-granite） were considered, and stressestrain measurements were conducted.Results show that the ultimate loads of both the D-Bolt and the rebar bolt remained constantwith any displacing angles. The ultimate displacement of the D-Bolt changed from 140 mm at the0 displacing angle （pure pull） to approximately 70 mm at a displacing angle greater than 40. Thedisplacement capacity of the D-Bolt is approximately 3.5 times that of the rebar bolt under pure pull and50% higher than that of the rebar bolt under pure shear. The compressive stress exists at 50 mm from thebolt head, and the maximum bending moment value rises with the increasing displacing angle. The rebarbolt mobilises greater applied load than the D-Bolt when subjected to the maximum bending. Theyielding length （at 0） of the D-Bolt is longer than that of the rebar bolt. The displacement capacity of thebolts increased with the joint gap. The bolt subjected to joint gap effect yields more quickly with greaterbending moment and smaller applied load. The displacement capacities of the D-Bolt and the rebar boltare greater in the weak host rock than that in the hard host rock. In pure shear condition, the ultimateload of the bolts slightly decreases in the hard rock. The yielding speed in the hard rock is higher thanthat in the weak rock. 2014 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

不同控制方式和卸荷应力路径下类岩石节理剪切强度特征研究

为研究不同控制方式和卸荷应力路径下岩石节理失稳剪切强度特征,借助RDS-200型岩石节理剪切试验系统开展了2种控制方式和3种卸荷应力路径下的类岩石节理直剪试验。结果表明:(1)采用应力控制方式进行切向加卸载时,各剪切加卸载路径下,节理剪切应力-时间曲线多存在失稳跌落现象,剪切应力-位移曲线失稳后多表现为折线形式。(2)与采用应力控制方式进行切向加载的试样结果相比,采用位移控制方式进行切向加载、采用应力控制方式进行法向卸载并保持剪切应力恒定、采用应力控制方式进行法向卸载和切向加载、采用应力控制方式同时进行法向和切向卸载的试样失稳剪切强度均有所降低;节理黏聚力减小百分比平均值为36.07%,而内摩擦角变化范围仅在4.12%以内,所以黏聚力降低是节理失稳剪切强度降低的主要原因。(3)以采用应力控制方式进行切向加载试样的拟合摩尔-库仑公式为基准,位移控制方式或其他采用应力控制方式的加卸载应力路径下试样失稳剪切强度的相对误差平均值最大可达55.78%。经引入黏聚力修正系数k对摩尔-库仑准则进行修正后,相对误差平均值的最大值减小到5.23%,说明对经受位移控制方式或采用应力控制方式的其他加卸载应力路径的工程节理来说,进行黏聚力的折减修正是必要和可行的。研究结果对不同控制方式及卸荷应力路径下岩体节理剪切承载能力的准确估计具有一定参考价值。

岩石结构面Grasselli二维粗糙度指标优化及其JRC估算

采用只考虑迎剪侧表观倾角而忽略内部起伏角的Grasselli二维形貌参数θ_(G)来估算结构面粗糙度系数JRC仍有待改进。从θ_(G)的物理意义出发,发现爬坡区内部凸起高度对粗糙度的贡献可表示为其在总爬坡水平距离上的坡角,所有爬坡区提供的坡角之和定义为结构面内部起伏体粗糙贡献,将结构面迎剪侧表观平均倾角θ_(G)和爬坡区内部平均坡角θ_(H)叠加,提出岩石结构面粗糙度新指标θ_(C)。通过获取十条标准JRC剖面线的θ_(C),分析其与JRC之间的关系,建立基于θ_(C)的JRC估算式。计算不同采样间距和不同采样方向下的新指标θ_(C),结果显示θ_(C)具有分形特征且能够反映结构面形貌各向异性。进一步将JRC估算式应用于JRC-JCS模型,通过对比已有研究得到的试验结果以及不同抗剪强度模型的预测效果,验证基于新指标θ_(C)估算的JRC可以准确预测结构面峰值抗剪强度。最后,对二维指标θ_(C)进行三维拓展,提出三维粗糙度新指标(θ_(C))_(3D),并通过结构面形貌各向异性表征验证了其合理性。

不同充填度结构面抗剪强度尺寸效应试验研究

针对现有岩体结构面抗剪强度尺寸效应研究较少考虑充填程度差异影响的不足,首先基于渐进扩大法选取平均起伏差和平均起伏角相近的4种连续尺寸天然结构面形貌,并通过3D打印技术制作结构面面板,然后结合类岩石材料配制方法和毫米级充填装置制备5种充填度的充填结构面,最后通过课题组自主研发的大型结构面直剪试验系统开展3种法向应力条件下的室内直剪试验,获得充填结构面的剪切力学与破坏特征,并分析临界充填度和抗剪强度尺寸效应特性。结果表明:随着充填度的增加,结构面剪切破坏模式主要由“岩-岩”剪断破坏逐渐转变为“岩-土界面”滑动破坏,且结构面归一化峰值抗剪强度逐渐减小,直至达到临界充填度时趋于稳定;随着结构面尺寸的增加,临界充填度逐渐增加,变化范围为1.6~2.0;无充填结构面抗剪强度存在较明显的正尺寸效应,而充填结构面抗剪强度尺寸效应较不明显。通过尺寸效应机理分析发现,在不考虑结构面平均起伏角的影响下,平均起伏高度是影响临界充填度和抗剪强度尺寸效应的主要因素。上述研究可为充填结构面抗剪强度尺寸效应模型建立奠定试验基础。

不同法向应力和剪切速率下煤平直节理剪切特性研究

煤体剪切力学参数是分析煤体变形及稳定性的重要参数。为研究不同法向应力和剪切速率下煤平直节理剪切特性,开展剪切数值模拟与实验室试验,研究法向应力、剪切速率对煤平直节理剪切特性的影响规律。结果表明:节理剪切强度随剪切速率增加而减小,随着法向应力增加而增加,且法向应力越高,节理剪切强度受到剪切速率的影响越大;剪切刚度与法向应力呈正相关关系,与剪切速率呈负相关关系,当剪切速率达到一定值之后对剪切刚度的影响不明显;剪切速率增加使模拟节理更容易发生剪切滑移,易引发煤岩动力灾害,这一现象在高法向应力更为严重。

加锚岩体结构面抗剪强度尺寸效应试验及机理研究

为揭示加锚岩体结构面抗剪强度尺寸效应机理,开展了系列尺寸(100~400 mm)加锚结构面室内剪切试验,对比分析结构面锚固前后抗剪强度及锚杆抗剪力的变化规律,研究了锚杆和结构面的变形破坏特征。研究结果表明:(1)结构面锚固前后抗剪强度均呈负尺寸效应,且尺寸效应随着法向应力增加而逐渐减弱;锚杆抗剪力随着结构面尺寸增加呈非线性增加。(2)锚杆呈“S”形变形特征,变形角度、剪切变形量和轴向变形量随着结构面尺寸增加呈非线性增加;结构面受锚杆挤压发生破裂的程度随着结构面尺寸增加而减弱。(3)引用“锚杆作用面积”概念,结构面尺寸较小时,锚杆作用面积超出结构面产生“边缘效应”,导致锚杆未充分发挥抗剪性能;随着结构面尺寸增大,锚杆性能得到充分发挥,锚杆抗剪力先迅速增加后保持稳定。