Author(s)

M. Borri-Brunetto, B. Chiaia & S. Invernizzi

Abstract

The correct evaluation of the shear behaviour of rock joints is of fundamental importance in slope stability analysis. A strong size-dependence of shear strength has been detected. The study of the force exchange mechanism at the joint inter- face, supported by the proper description of the contact domain, represents the mean to provide a size-independent definition of the frictional parameters. In this work, the topography of a real fracture surface in a rock sample has been digitised by means of a laser apparatus. The behaviour of the rock joint under normal load- ing has been studied, by means of a numerical model, for different shear displace- ments of the initially matching surfaces. The crack closure laws and the dilatancy curves relating shear displacement to norma

Keywords