Chunlin Li

Analytical models for rock bolts

Three analytical models have been developed for rock bolts: one for bolts subjected to a concentrated pull load in pullout tests, one for bolts installed in uniformly deformed rock masses, and one for bolts subjected to the opening of individual rock joints. The development of the models has been based on the description of the mechanical coupling at the interface between the bolt and the grout medium for grouted bolts, or between the bolt and the rock for frictionally coupled bolts. For rock bolts in pullout tests, the shear stress of the interface attenuates exponentially with increasing distance from the point of loading when the deformation is compatible across the interface. Decoupling may start first at the loading point when the applied load is large enough and then propagate towards the far end of the bolt with a further increase in the applied load. The magnitude of the shear stress on the decoupled bolt section depends on the coupling mechanism at the interface. For fully grouted bolts, the shear stress on the decoupled section is lower than the peak shear strength of the interface, while for fully frictionally coupled bolts it is approximately the same as the peak shear strength. For rock bolts installed in uniformly deformed rock, the loading process of the bolts due to rock deformation has been taken into account in developing the model. Model simulations confirm the previous findings that a bolt in situ has a pick-up length, an anchor length and a neutral point. It is also revealed that the face plate plays a significant role in enhancing the reinforcement effect. In jointed rock masses, several axial stress peaks may occur along the bolt because of the opening of rock joints intersecting the bolt.

Shear fracture (Mode II) of brittle rock

Mode II fracture initiation and propagation plays an important role under certain loading conditions in rock fracture mechanics. Under pure tensile, pure shear, tension- and compression-shear loadi ...

Experimental verification of the Kaiser effect in rocks

SummaryThe Kaiser effect is a measure of damage developed in rock. It was investigated using 61 core specimens of eight types of rocks under uniaxial cyclic loading. The effects of the delay time between subsequent loading cycles and the holding time on the Kaiser effect were examined in granite specimens. The characteristics of AE occurring during unloading and holding were also studied. The experimental results showed that most of the rocks, with the exception of some iron ores, showed an obvious Kaiser effect before the load was very near the level of the strength. The delay and holding times did not strongly influence the Kaiser effect. Breakdown of the Kaiser effect was expressed by the felicity ratio that may be taken as a measure of the quality of rock. The onset of the continuously increasing AE in the first loading cycle can be taken as a measure of the damage in rock. The mechanism of the Kaiser effect was studied with the aid of a micromechanical model. An expression for the damage surface in the stress space was derived from the model. The theoretical expression was compared with the results of the Kaiser effect tests, which showed a satisfactory consistence.

The stress-strain behaviour of rock material related to fracture under compression

Fracture is the main reason for the non-linear behaviour of hard rocks. The fracture mechanics of rock is studied in this article by analysis of the fracture process under compression. A constitutive model that describes the relationship between the macro deformation of rock and the micro fracture within rock is developed. The propagation of microcracks, the non-linearity of deformation, the loading-and-unloading hysteresis and the variation of the apparent Youngs modulus and Poissons ratio are studied using the developed model. The model simulations demonstrate that: (1) the fracture toughness, initial crack length, crack density, and Youngs modulus are four crucially important parameters that affect the deformation behaviour of rock; (2) the elastic parameters (E and v) of the rock matrix should be measured in triaxial tests. If they are measured in uniaxial tests, the upper straight unloading portion of the stress-strain curve is suggested to be used for the purpose, unless the closure effect of open cracks will be included in the estimations. In addition (3), the slope of the reloading stress-strain curve is a measure of the damage in material.

Deformation of brittle rocks under compression - with particular reference to microcracks

A constitutive model for brittle rocks has been developed based on the analysis of microcracks. The macroscopic deformation of a rock is decomposed into three components: response of the rock matri ...

Assessment of damage in rock using the Kaiser effect of acoustic emission

The aim of our study is to explore the possibility of using the Kaiser effect method to assess damage in rock induced by blasting. Cores were drilled from a hard rock tunnel. The specimens prepared ...

Design of underground drainage boreholes in foliated formations

The principle for the design of a directional drainage borehole in a foliated formation is such that the borehole is drilled so that it crosses all the interested foliation planes. If the inclinati ...