Dilation of rock joints based on quantified surface description
(May 2018)Abstract
Rock dilation process is a complex behaviour that is influenced by material properties, stress conditions, and surface characteristics. In this study, we used twenty direct shear tests on four rock types under a constant normal load (CNL) condition to investigate rock dilation. Shear and normal displacements measured in these tests were used to understand shear induced dilation as a function of surface geometry. We focus our investigation on the ultimate dilation (ξult), which is defined as a constant value that the dilation (ξ) approaches with increasing shear displacement (δ). Results show that ξult is influenced by compressive strength, applied normal stress, and surface geometry.