Parametric study of the smooth-joint contact model on the mechanical behavior of jointed rock

The smooth-joint contact model based on distinct element method has been widely used to represent discontinuity in the simulation of fractured rock mass, but there is rare efficient guidance for the selection of proper parameters of smooth-joint contact model, which is the basement for using this model properly. In this paper, the effect of smooth joint parameters on the macroscopic properties and failure mechanism of jointed rock under triaxial compression test is investigated. The numerical results reveal that the friction coefficient of smooth joint plays a dominant role in controlling mechanical behaviors. The stiffness of smooth joint has a relative small influence on the mechanical behaviors. Poisson ratio decreases with the reduction of normal stiffness but increases with the reduction of shear stiffness. The reduction of smooth joint strength, which is determined by normal strength, cohesion, and friction angle of smooth joint, contributes to the breakage of bonded smooth joint and ultimately decreases the strength of the specimen. We proposed a detailed calibration process for smooth-joint contact model according to the relationship between smooth-joint parameters and mechanical properties. By following this process, the numerical results are validated against corresponding experimental results and good agreement between them can be found in stress-strain curves and failure modes of different joint orientations. Further analyses from the microperspective are performed by looking at transmission of contact force, the nature and distribution of microcracks, and the particle displacement to show the failure process and failure modes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.