Laboratory Observations of Fault Strength in Response to Changes in Normal Stress

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Kilgore ◽  
Julian Lozos ◽  
Nick Beeler ◽  
David Oglesby
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Shock Loading ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Earthquake Hazard ◽  
Direct Shear ◽  
Earthquake Simulation ◽  
Sliding Surfaces ◽  
Simulation Techniques ◽  
Fault Strength

Changes in fault normal stress can either inhibit or promote rupture propagation, depending on the fault geometry and on how fault shear strength varies in response to the normal stress change. A better understanding of this dependence will lead to improved earthquake simulation techniques, and ultimately, improved earthquake hazard mitigation efforts. We present the results of new laboratory experiments investigating the effects of step changes in fault normal stress on the fault shear strength during sliding, using bare Westerly granite samples, with roughened sliding surfaces, in a double direct shear apparatus. Previous experimental studies examining the shear strength following a step change in the normal stress produce contradictory results: a set of double direct shear experiments indicates that the shear strength of a fault responds immediately, and then is followed by a prolonged slip-dependent response, while a set of shock loading experiments indicates that there is no immediate component, and the response is purely gradual and slip-dependent. In our new, high-resolution experiments, we observe that the acoustic transmissivity and dilatancy of simulated faults in our tests respond immediately to changes in the normal stress, consistent with the interpretations of previous investigations, and verify an immediate increase in the area of contact between the roughened sliding surfaces as normal stress increases. However, the shear strength of the fault does not immediately increase, indicating that the new area of contact between the rough fault surfaces does not appear preloaded with any shear resistance or strength. Additional slip is required for the fault to achieve a new shear strength appropriate for its new loading conditions, consistent with previous observations made during shock loading.

Shear strength and dilative characteristics of an unsaturated compacted completely decomposed granite soil

2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 1112-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Akhtar Hossain ◽  
Jian-Hua Yin
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Direct Shear ◽  
Normal Stresses ◽  
Soil Water Retention Curve ◽  
Strength Data ◽  
Decomposed Granite ◽  
Completely Decomposed Granite

Shear strength and dilative characteristics of a re-compacted completely decomposed granite (CDG) soil are studied by performing a series of single-stage consolidated drained direct shear tests under different matric suctions and net normal stresses. The axis-translation technique is applied to control the pore-water and pore-air pressures. A soil-water retention curve (SWRC) is obtained for the CDG soil from the equilibrium water content corresponding to each applied matric suction value for zero net normal stress using a modified direct shear apparatus. Shear strength increases with matric suction and net normal stress, and the failure envelope is observed to be linear. The apparent angle of internal friction and cohesion intercept increase with matric suction. A greater dilation angle is found at higher suctions with lower net normal stresses, while lower or zero dilation angles are observed under higher net normal stresses with lower suctions, also at a saturated condition. Experimental shear strength data are compared with the analytical shear strength results obtained from a previously modified model considering the SWRC, effective shear strength parameters, and analytical dilation angles. The experimental shear strength data are slightly higher than the analytical results under higher net normal stresses in a higher suction range.

scholarly journals Effect of Rock Particle Content on the Mechanical Behavior of a Soil-Rock Mixture (SRM) via Large-Scale Direct Shear Test

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Longqi Liu ◽  
Xuesong Mao ◽  
Yajun Xiao ◽  
Qian Wu ◽  
Ke Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Direct Shear Test ◽  
Shear Test ◽  
Volumetric Strain ◽  
Direct Shear ◽  
Stress Strain ◽  
Particle Content ◽  
Rock Particle

The mechanical strength of the landslide deposits directly affects the safety and operation of the roads in the western mountainous area of China. Therefore, the research is aimed at studying the mechanisms of a landslide deposit sample with different rock particle contents by analyzing its characteristics of the stress-strain behavior, the “jumping” phenomenon, the volumetric strain, and the shear strength parameters via a large-scale direct shear test. Stress-strain results show that stress-strain curves can be divided into 3 different stages: liner elastic stage, yielding stage, and strain-hardening stage. The shear strength of SRM behaves more like “soil” at a lower rock particle content and behaves more like “rock joints” at a higher rock particle content. Characteristics of the “jumping” phenomenon results show that the “intense jumping” stage becomes obvious with the increasing rock particle content and the normal stress. However, the lower the rock particle content is, the more obvious the “jumping” phenomenon under the same normal stress is. Volumetric strain results show that the sample with a lower rock particle content showed a dilatancy behavior under the low normal stress and shrinkage behavior under the high normal stress. The dilatancy value becomes smaller with the increasing normal stress. The maximum shear stress value of the rock particle content corresponds to the maximum value of dilatancy or shrinkage. We also conclude that the intercept of the Mohr failure envelope of the soil-rock mixture should be called the “equivalent cohesion,” not simply called the “cohesion.” The higher the normal stress and rock particle content are, the bigger the equivalent cohesion and the internal friction angle is.

scholarly journals Experimental Study on Influence of Joint Surface Morphology on Strength and Deformation of Nonthrough Jointed Rock Masses under Direct Shear

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Yuanming Liu ◽  
Qingzhi Chen ◽  
Huiyu Chen ◽  
Xun Ou ◽  
Dafu Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Rock Mass ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Failure Mode ◽  
Jointed Rock ◽  
Tangential Displacement ◽  
Direct Shear ◽  
Jointed Rock Masses ◽  
Final Failure ◽  
Joint Morphology

Direct shear tests were carried out on nonthrough jointed rock masses (NTJRM) with three types of joints under five normal stresses. The strength characteristics of shear strength, initial crack strength, and residual strength and the deformation characteristics of tangential displacement and dilatancy displacement as well as the transformation of failure mode and the variation of shear parameters of rock mass with different joint morphology are studied. Under the same normal stress, with the increase of joint undulation, the shear strength of NTJRM increases, and the corresponding tangential displacement of NTJRM increases. Two typical failure modes are observed: TTTS mode and TSSS mode. TTTS model indicates that the initial failure, extension failure, and final failure of rock mass are caused by tensile action, while the failure mode of through plane is formed by shear action. The initial failure of TSSS mode rock mass is caused by tensile action, while the expansion and final failure are caused by shear action, and the failure mode of through plane is formed under shear action. When the joint undulation is small and the normal stress is small, NTJRM will fail in TTTS mode; when the joint undulation is large and the normal stress is large, NTJRM will fail in TSSS mode. The results show that the shear parameters of NTJRM are related to the joint morphology, the bond force increases with the increase of joint undulation, and the internal friction angle increases with the increase of joint undulation. The research results of direct shear test of nonthrough jointed rock mass can provide reference for related research.

Experimental Study on Shear Mechanical Characteristics of Soil-Structure Interface under Different Normal Stress

2011 ◽  
Vol 243-249 ◽  
pp. 2332-2337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Chun Xia ◽  
Guo Qing Zhou ◽  
Ze Chao Du
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Shear Strength ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Mechanical Characteristics ◽  
Shear Displacement ◽  
Interface Roughness ◽  
Displacement Curve ◽  
Direct Shear ◽  
High Normal Stress

The direct shear mechanical characteristics of soil-structure interface under different experimental condition were studied systematically using the DRS-1 high normal stress direct and residual shear apparatus. The results show that the normal stress is an important factor which determines the mechanical characteristics of soil-structure interface. The curve of shear stress-shear displacement presents strain softening when the normal stress<3MPa, linear hardening when =3~5MPa and strain hardening when12MPa, separately. At the same time, the volume of the soil expands when <3MPa and contracts when >3MPa. But the volume of the soil expands and contracts simultaneously during the process of direct shear when =3MPa.The roughness of the interface influences not only the shape of the shear stress-shear displacement curve but also the shear strength of the interface. Under same normal stress condition，the shear strength of interface increases with the roughness but the influence degree of interface roughness reduces gradually with the increase of normal stress. The grain breakage degree is different under different normal stress. It increases evidently with the increase of normal stress.

scholarly journals Numerical Simulation of the Shear Behaviour of Cement Grout

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Jianhang Chen ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Hongbao Zhao ◽  
Junwen Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Shear Strength ◽  
Stress Distribution ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Shear Failure ◽  
Cement Grout ◽  
Shear Stress Distribution ◽  
Shear Behaviour ◽  
Direct Shear ◽  
Failure Plane

Cement grout is widely used in civil engineering and mining engineering. The shear behaviour of the cement grout plays an important role in determining the stability of the systems. To better understand the shear behaviour of the cement grout, numerical direct shear tests were conducted. Cylindrical cement grout samples with two different strengths were created and simulated. The numerical results were compared and validated with experimental results. It was found that, in the direct shear process, although the applied normal stress was constant, the normal stress on the contacted shear failure plane was variable. Before the shear strength point, the normal stress increased slightly. Then, it decreased gradually. Moreover, there was a nonuniform distribution of the normal stress on the contacted shear failure plane. This nonuniform distribution was more apparent when the shear displacement reached the shear strength point. Additionally, there was a shear stress distribution on the contacted shear failure plane. However, at the beginning of the direct shear test, the relative difference of the shear stresses was quite small. In this stage, the shear stress distribution can be assumed uniform on the contacted shear failure plane. However, once the shear displacement increased to around the shear strength point, the relative difference of the shear stresses was obvious. In this stage, there was an apparent nonuniform shear stress distribution on the contacted shear failure plane.

scholarly journals Investigating the Effect of Rock Bridge on the Stability of Locked Section Slopes by the Direct Shear Test and Acoustic Emission Technique

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qifeng Guo ◽  
Jiliang Pan ◽  
Meifeng Cai ◽  
Ying Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Emission ◽  
Shear Strength ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Direct Shear Test ◽  
Shear Test ◽  
Rock Slope ◽  
Direct Shear ◽  
Acoustic Emission Technique ◽  
Rock Bridge ◽  
The Stability

As a portion of intact rock separating joint surfaces, rock bridge plays a significant role in the stability of rock slopes. This paper aims to investigate the effect of different rock bridges on the mechanical properties and failure mode of rock slope by means of the direct shear test and acoustic emission technique. Field conditions were simulated in direct shear tests which were carried out on specimens with rock bridges at different continuity rates, normal stress, arrangements, and joint angles. Experimental results indicate that the strength of specimens is controlled by the rock bridge and the structural plane. The rock bridge contributes to the strength of the specimen, while the through plane weakens the strength of the specimen. The increase of normal stress can weaken the stress concentration near the tip of the rock bridge and improve the shear resistance of the specimen. The different arrangement of rock bridge has little effect on the normal displacement of the specimen, and has a great influence on the shear strength. The shear capacity of the specimen is related to the angle of the crack, and the angle of the crack is approximately proportional to the peak shear strength. For the specimens with different joint occurrence, the mode of crack propagation at the initial stage is basically the same, and the specimen is finally damaged due to the generation of through cracks in the core area of rock bridge. The instantaneous release of the huge energy generated during the experiment along the shear direction is the root cause of the sudden failure of the rock bridge. The formation, aggregation, and transfixion process of rock bridge is of concern and has been experimentally investigated in this paper for the prevention and control of the locked section rock slope with sudden disasters.

Measurement of unsaturated soil – geomembrane interface shear-strength parameters

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
J S Sharma ◽  
I R Fleming ◽  
M B Jogi
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Pressure Transducer ◽  
Shear Behaviour ◽  
Direct Shear ◽  
Shear Tests ◽  
Interface Shear Strength ◽  
Interface Shear

Laboratory tests of soil–geomembrane interface shear strength are typically carried out with no provision for the measurement of pore pressures at the soil–geomembrane interface. This paper describes a series of soil–geomembrane interface shear tests carried out with continuous measurement of suction close to the interface during the shearing process. The tests were conducted using a modified direct shear box with a miniature pore-pressure transducer installed adjacent to the surface of the geomembrane. Results of the interface shear tests conducted using this method show that it is quite effective in evaluating shear behaviour at the interface between a geomembrane and an unsaturated soil at low matric suction values. The results suggest that soil suction contributes to shearing resistance at low normal stress values. At higher normal stress values, the interface shear behaviour appears to be governed only by the magnitude of total normal stress.Key words: geomembrane, interface shear strength, suction, direct shear test, pore-pressure transducer.

scholarly journals Experimental study on shear mechanical properties of through-step joints under direct shear

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liangxiao Xiong ◽  
Haijun Chen ◽  
Zhongyuan Xu ◽  
Shu Zhou ◽  
Xiaohua Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Shear Strength ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Shear Failure ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Initial Increase ◽  
Direct Shear ◽  
Small Length ◽  
Rock Bridge ◽  
Large Length

Abstract In this study, direct shear tests were carried out on artificial rock mass specimens with single-ladder, single-rectangular, and double-rectangular step joints. Consequently, the shear strength, cohesive force (c), internal friction angle (φ), and crack shape of specimens with these through-step joints were analyzed, in order to understand the influence of the shape of the through-step joint on their direct shear mechanical properties. The results of the investigation were as follows: (1) Under the same normal stress, any increases in the height h of the step joint caused an initial-increase–decrease in the shear strengths of specimens with single-ladder and double-rectangular step joints, with a type-W variation pattern for the specimens with single-rectangular step joint. More essentially, when normal stress and h were constant, the shear strength of specimens with a single-ladder step joint was the greatest, followed by specimens with a double-rectangular step joint, whereas that for specimens with a single-rectangular step joint was the least. (2) For specimens with a single-ladder step joint, a small length of the bottom of the step joint with a large length of the rock bridge allowed c to dominantly influence the specimen shear strength. Conversely, a large length of the bottom of the step joint with a small length of the rock bridge caused φ to play a key role in the specimen shear strength. For specimens with a single-rectangular step joint, when the length of the top of the step joint and that of the rock bridge were large, c had the dominant influence on the specimen. Otherwise, when the length of the top of the step joint and that of the rock bridge were small, φ had the major influence on the specimen shear strength. (3) Furthermore, given a small h and low normal stress, specimens with a single-ladder step joint mainly experienced shear failure, whereas specimens with single-rectangular and double-rectangular step joints mainly generated extrusion milling in the step joints. Any increases in h caused specimens with the three types of step joints to have oblique cracks at the bottom and apex points of the step joint. The number of oblique cracks was expected to increase with greater normal stress.

Direct shear strength test on rocks along discontinuities, under laboratory conditions

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ildikó Buocz ◽  
Nikoletta Rozgonyi-Boissinot ◽  
Ákos Török ◽  
Péter Görög
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Strength Test ◽  
Direct Shear ◽  
Shear Strength Test ◽  
Laboratory Conditions

scholarly journals Study on the Strength Performance of Recycled Aggregate Concrete with Different Ages under Direct Shearing

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2312
Author(s):  
Xin Liang ◽  
Fang Yan ◽  
Yuliang Chen ◽  
Huiqin Wu ◽  
Peihuan Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Shear Force ◽  
Recycled Aggregate Concrete ◽  
Recycled Aggregate ◽  
Displacement Curve ◽  
Direct Shear ◽  
Replacement Ratio ◽  
Aggregate Concrete ◽  
Concrete Failure ◽  
Load Displacement

In order to study the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) at different ages, 264 standard cubes were designed to test its direct shear strength and cube compressive strength while considering the parameters of age and recycled aggregate replacement ratio. The failure pattern and load–displacement curve of specimens at direct shearing were obtained; the direct shear strength and residual shear strength were extracted from the load–displacement curves. Experimental results indicate that the influence of the replacement ratio for the front and side cracks of RAC is insignificant, with the former being straight and the latter relatively convoluted. At the age of three days, the damaged interface between aggregate and mortar is almost completely responsible for concrete failure; in addition to the damage of coarse aggregates, aggregate failure is also an important factor in concrete failure at other ages. The load–displacement curve of RAC at direct shearing can be divided into elasticity, elastoplasticity, plasticity, and stabilization stages. The brittleness of concrete decreases with its age, which is reflected in the gradual shortening of the elastoplastic stage. At 28 days of age, the peak direct shear force increases with the replacement ratio, while the trend is opposite at ages of 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days, respectively. The residual strength of RAC decreases inversely to the replacement ratio, with the rate of decline growing over time. A two-parameter RAC direct shear strength calculation formula was established based on the analysis of age and replacement rate to peak shear force of RAC. The relationship between cube compressive strength and direct shear strength of recycled concrete at various ages was investigated.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document