Post failure behaviour of a rock mass under the influence of triaxial and true triaxial confinement

In this paper results of triaxial and true triaxial testing conducted on physical models of a rock mass are used to describe its post failure behaviour. The specimens comprised of three continuous joint sets and were prepared from blocks of sand lime model material. The testing was performed using a True Triaxial System (TTS) developed by the authors. The results show strain hardening, strain softening and plastic behaviour in the simulated rock mass specimens depending upon joint geometry and stress state. Expressions are suggested to estimate post peak modulus in triaxial and true triaxial stress conditions. Finally, a zonation table is proposed to assess the strain hardening, softening and plasticity behaviour of a rock mass material with the help of joint geometry and confining stress conditions at site. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.