An Investigation of the Mechanics of Discontinuities in Rock

Abstract

We undertook a systematic investigation of the mechanics of discontinuities consisting of joints and fractures in rock. The specific objective was the development of a physically motivated constitutive law for discontinuity behavior which includes effects such as asperity wear and rubblization. The approach was to idealize a discontinuity as consisting of a macroscopic slip surface with microstructural features consisting of interlocking asperity surfaces. An experimental program was concurrently conducted in order to provide guidance and corroboration in the development of a constitutive law. The constitutive law that was developed was numerically implemented and used to simulate the laboratory tests to help assess our success in understanding and quantifying true joint behavior. (edc)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 29, 1990
Accession Number
ADA220244

Entities

People

  • Bezalel C. Haimson
  • Michael E. Plesha

Organizations

  • University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Classification
  • Computer Simulations
  • Data Acquisition
  • Discontinuities
  • Engineering
  • Friction
  • Guidance
  • Laboratory Tests
  • Materials
  • Mechanics
  • Military Research
  • Observation
  • Physics
  • Security
  • Shear Stresses
  • Shear Tests
  • Simulations

Readers

  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Geotechnical Engineering.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.