Abstract
It is difficult to effectively grasp the mechanical behavior of rock joints, since it depends on certain factors, such as the confining conditions, the material strength, the material friction, and the joint surface roughness. In this paper, direct shear tests on rock joints are carried out and the mechanical behavior of the rock joints is discussed in consideration of the normal confining condition, the material strength, the material friction angle, and the joint surface roughness. Then, a model for shear behavior is proposed, and the shear behavior of rock joints is estimated using the model. In comparison to the simulation in the experimental results, this model can reasonably present the shear behavior of rock joints. Moreover, it is able to anticipate changes in joint roughness during the shear process.
