Author(s)

A Allodi, M Castelli & C Scavia

Abstract

This paper investigates the possibility of interpreting the progressive failure in hard soils and soft rocks as tie result of shear propagation of a pre-existing natural discontinuity. This is done through tie application of the principles of Fracture Mechanics, a Slip-Weakening Model (SWM) being used to simulate the non-linear zone at tie tips of the discontinuity. A numerical implementation of the SWM in a computation method based on the Boundary Element technique of tie Displacement Discontinuity Method is presented. The crack and tie non-linearzone at the advancing tip are represented through a set of elements, where tie Displacement Discontinuity in the tangential direction is determined on the basis of a friction law. A residual friction angle is assumed on crack elements. For elements in the non-linearzone, shear resistance decreases from a peak value at the tip, characteristic of intact material, to the residual value. The simulation of a uniaxial compressive test is carried out and the results are presented.

Keywords