Technical Notes
Jun 30, 2021

Experimental Investigation on Anisotropic Strength and Deformation Behaviors of Columnar Jointed Rock Mass in Confined State

Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 21, Issue 9

Abstract

Columnar jointed rock mass (CJRM) has a special joint structure formed during the cooling of lava. The self-oriented joint structure can induce mechanical anisotropy of the rock mass, which poses a challenge for geotechnical engineering. To understand the mechanical properties of CJRM, conventional triaxial compression tests were conducted on the artificial CJRM specimens. It can be found from the experiment results that the orientation of columns has a distinct impact on the strength and deformation modulus. Four failure modes of CJRM specimens at different dip angles of columns under different confining pressures can be observed. The anisotropy degree in strength and deformation modulus is estimated, where it is found that the increase of confining pressure decreases the anisotropy in strength and increases the anisotropy in deformation modulus.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

Acknowledgments

The laboratory equipment and technical support provided by Professor Weiya Xu in the Hohai University are appreciated. The financial support provided by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2019M661711) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. B200202083) is also appreciated.

References

Brady, B. H. G., M. L. Cramer, and R. D. Hart. 1985. “Preliminary analysis of a loading test on a large basalt block.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr. 22 (5): 345–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(85)92067-4.
Fridleifsson, G. O., and W. A. Elders. 2005. “The Iceland Deep Drilling Project: A search for deep unconventional geothermal resources.” Geothermics 34 (3): 269–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2004.11.004.
Goehring, L., and S. W. Morris. 2008. “Scaling of columnar joints in basalt.” Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 113, B10203. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JB005018.
Hao, X.-J., X.-T. Feng, C.-X. Yang, Q. Jiang, and S.-J. Li. 2016. “Analysis of EDZ development of columnar jointed rock mass in the Baihetan diversion tunnel.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 49 (4): 1289–1312. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-015-0829-4.
Hetényi, G., B. Taisne, F. Garel, É Médard, S. Bosshard, and H. B. Mattsson. 2012. “Scales of columnar jointing in igneous rocks: Field measurements and controlling factors.” Bull. Volcanol. 74 (2): 457–482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-011-0534-4.
Ji, H., J. C. Zhang, W. Y. Xu, R. B. Wang, H. L. Wang, L. Yan, and Z. N. Lin. 2017. “Experimental investigation of the anisotropic mechanical properties of a columnar jointed rock mass: Observations from laboratory-based physical modelling.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 50 (7): 1919–1931. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-017-1192-4.
Jiang, Q., X.-t. Feng, Y. H. Hatzor, X.-j. Hao, and S.-j. Li. 2014. “Mechanical anisotropy of columnar jointed basalts: An example from the Baihetan hydropower station, China.” Eng. Geol. 175: 35–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.03.019.
Jin, C., C. Yang, D. Fang, and S. Xu. 2015. “Study on the failure mechanism of basalts with columnar joints in the unloading process on the basis of an experimental cavity.” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 48 (3): 1275–1288. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-014-0625-6.
Kulatilake, P. H. S. W., W. He, J. Um, and H. Wang. 1997. “A physical model study of jointed rock mass strength under uniaxial compressive loading.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 34: 165.e161–165.e115. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1365-1609(97)00123-8.
Lin, Z., W. Xu, H. Wang, J. Zhang, W. Wei, R. Wang, and H. Ji. 2017. “Anisotropic characteristic of irregular columnar-jointed rock mass based on physical model test.” KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 21 (5): 1728–1734. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-016-1796-3.
Müller, G. 1998. “Experimental simulation of basalt columns.” J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 86 (1–4): 93–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-0273(98)00045-6.
Ramamurthy, T., and V. K. Arora. 1994. “Strength predictions for jointed rocks in confined and unconfined states.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr. 31 (1): 9–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(94)92311-6.
Shi, A., M. Tang, and Q. Zhou. 2008. “Research of deformation characteristics of columnar jointed basalt at Baihetan hydropower station on Jinsha river.” Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng. 27: 2079–2086.
Singh, M., and K. Seshagiri Rao. 2005. “Empirical methods to estimate the strength of jointed rock masses.” Eng. Geol. 77 (1–2): 127–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2004.09.001.
Sun, Y., C. Chen, and Y. Gao. 2020. “Stress-fractional model with rotational hardening for anisotropic clay.” Comput. Geotech. 126: 103719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103719.
Sun, Y., and C. Zheng. 2017. “Breakage and shape analysis of ballast aggregates with different size distributions.” Particuology 35: 84–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2017.02.004.
Vasseur, J., and F. B. Wadsworth. 2019. “The permeability of columnar jointed lava.” J. Geophys. Res.: Solid Earth 124 (11): 11305–11315. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB018118.
Xiao, W.-m., R.-g. Deng, Z.-b. Zhong, X.-m. Fu, and C.-y. Wang. 2015. “Experimental study on the mechanical properties of simulated columnar jointed rock masses.” J. Geophys. Eng. 12 (1): 80–89. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-2132/12/1/80.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to International Journal of Geomechanics
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 21Issue 9September 2021

History

Received: Oct 21, 2020
Accepted: May 9, 2021
Published online: Jun 30, 2021
Published in print: Sep 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Nov 30, 2021

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Hua Ji, Ph.D. [email protected]
Postdoctoral, PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 311122, Zhejiang, China (corresponding author). Email: [email protected]
Long Yan, Ph.D. [email protected]
Postdoctoral, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Geomechanics and Embankment Engineering, Hohai Univ., Nanjing 210098, China; Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Hohai Univ., Nanjing 210098, China. Email: [email protected]
Jianrong Xu [email protected]
Professor, PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 311122, Zhejiang, China. Email: [email protected]

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

  • Experimental and Numerical Investigations on the Effect of In Situ Stress and Discontinuities Orientation on the Deformation Modulus of Rock Masses, International Journal of Geomechanics, 10.1061/IJGNAI.GMENG-9178, 24, 2, (2024).
  • A Strength Criterion for Deep Rock with Stochastic Fractures via DEM Simulations, KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 10.1007/s12205-022-0315-y, 27, 2, (826-842), (2022).
  • Effects of Anisotropy on Strength and Deformability of Anthracite Under High Confinement, Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 10.1007/s00603-022-03140-y, (2022).
  • Experimental and Numerical Studies on the Anisotropic Mechanical Characteristics of Rock-Like Material with Bedding Planes and Voids, Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 10.1007/s00603-022-03009-0, 55, 11, (7171-7189), (2022).

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share