Research Progress on Shear Characteristics of Rock Joints under Constant Normal Stiffness Boundary Conditions

The constant normal stiffness (CNS) boundary condition is more representative for the underground engineering, in which the shear-induced dilation is restricted by surrounding rocks, resulting in an increase in the normal stress. Therefore, the use of CNS boundary conditions in the research of shear-slip failure of underground rock engineering is more in line with the actual situation. Taking the instability and failure of surrounding rock in underground engineering as the background, the present study introduces the engineering background of CNS boundary conditions and the research progress on shear characteristics of rock joints under CNS boundary conditions. Three key directions for future research are proposed based on the latest research results of shear characteristics of rock joint under CNS boundary conditions: ① developing a rock joint shear test system that can realize the function of “CNS boundary conditions + shear-seepage test + visualization”; ② carrying out the shear tests of real rock joints under CNS boundary conditions based on 3D scanning and 3D carving technology; and ③ carrying out the shear tests of rock joint network under CNS boundary conditions.

Simulation of direct shear tests using a forces on fracture surfaces (FFS) approach

The aim of this work is to provide a complete data set of direct shear tests and to propose a corresponding simulation approach. Tests have been conducted on crystalline rock samples applying constant normal load (CNL) and constant normal stiffness (CNS) boundary conditions. A physical consistent algorithm which explicitly calculates the forces acting on the fracture surface (FFS) has been developed. This FFS approach can explain the occurrence of surface degradation and shows the main shear characteristics. After all, shearing of rough rock joints remains a complex process and the differences between laboratory and simulation results are still significant in some cases. All data and input files are provided free for download and testing.

The mechanisms underlying long-term shaft resistance enhancement of energy pile in clays

Although there are several studies indicating that heating increases the long-term shaft resistance of energy piles, the mechanisms by which heating causes this increase have not been adequately evaluated yet. This article aims to perform comprehensive analysis and discussion to assess the important factors contributing to this increase by integrating the findings from three recently published papers studying the thermo-mechanical behavior of clay and clay-pile interface. In these three studies, reconstituted kaolin clay was used, and cyclic and monotonic heat ranging between 24° C and 34°C were applied to the clay and interface. The interface was sheared under two stiffness boundary conditions; Constant Normal Stiffness (CNS) and Constant Normal Load (CNL), where the normal stresses varied between 100 kPa and 300 kPa. The analysis performed in this article reveals that the increase in strength of interface under CNL condition is primarily attributed to clay stiffening at interface. However, the increase in shaft resistance under CNS condition is primarily attributed to the heating-induced increase of effective lateral stress, although clay stiffening at interface also partially contributes to the total increase of shaft resistance.