DEVELOPMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS TO GRASP COUPLING BEHAVIOR OF WATER FLOW AND DEFORMATION OF ROCK MASS AND STUDY ON ELUCIDATION OF THE COUPLING BEHAVIOR

Abstract

The existence and behavior of discontinuities in a rock mass are well known to govern the mechanical and hydraulic behaviors of the rock mass. The numerical model by which not only mechanical but also hydraulic behaviors can be predicted is of prime importance. However, there is no experimental apparatus by which the flow-deformation coupled behaviors of a discontinuous material can be seized. In this study, a new experimental apparatus is developed so as to seize the coupled behaviors, and the tests with associated to the coupled behaviors are conducted with the use of artificial specimens. It is revealed that the permeability of the specimen is affected by the deformation of existed or emanated discontinuities in the specimens.