Strength Anisotropy of Rock with Crossing Joints: Results of Physical and Numerical Modeling with Gypsum Models

The geometric and mechanical characteristics of multiple intersecting joints can govern the strength anisotropy behavior of a rock mass. Laboratory uniaxial compression tests with artificial rock-like material (gypsum) were conducted to investigate the strength anisotropy behavior of jointed specimens. Three special kinds of gypsum were used to ensure that the handmade joints have a user-defined-strength for all samples. Specimens with one or two crossing joints covering more than 20 angle configurations and two different property sets were prepared and tested. The strength anisotropy behaviors of specimens with constant joint angles (90°, 80°, 60°, 45°, and 30°) were investigated, and the failure mechanisms were assessed through the damage pattern of the colored gypsum. The details of the design scheme and figures of the evaluated experimental results are presented in this paper. A new equivalent continuum model, called the multi-joint model, is developed for jointed rock masses that contain up to three arbitrary persistent joint sets. The Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion is used to check failure of the intact rock and the joints. The multi-joint model is implemented into the finite difference method code FLAC and compared with the distinct element method code UDEC. The experimental results are used to verify the developed multi-joint constitutive model and to investigate the behavior of jointed specimen. Experimental observations agree well with the simulation results and analytical solutions.