A comprehensive study on the smooth joint model in DEM simulation of jointed rock masses

This paper reports the results from a comprehensive numerical study on the effects of micro-parameters of the smooth joint model (SJM) on the macro-properties and the associated failure modes of synthetic rock masses (SRM) under the uniaxial compression condition using the three-dimensional discrete element method. Important mechanical and geometrical micro-parameters of SJM that show significant effects on the macro-properties and the failure modes of SRM are identified. Strong coupling effects are found to exist between various important micro-parameters so that the eventual sample failure is a result of the complicated interaction among these micro-parameters. A limitation of the current stress-dilatancy relation accounting for the joint roughness effect is also identified. The numerical results presented in this paper are valuable for the evaluation of the current model capability in simulating and predicting the shear failure behavior of rock masses, and the further improvement of the model for its full application to the study of the behavior of real rock masses at the laboratory or field scales.