JRMGE / Vol 14 / Issue 3

Article

An analytical solution of equivalent elastic modulus considering confining stress and its variables sensitivity analysis for fractured rock masses

Donghui Chen, Huie Chen, Wen Zhang, Junqing Lou, Bo Shan

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a College of Construction Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130026, China
b Northeast Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd., Changchun, 130021, China


2022, 14(3): 825-836. doi:10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.08.007


Received: 2020-12-27 / Revised: 2021-05-20 / Accepted: 2021-08-19 / Available online: 2021-11-01

2022, 14(3): 825-836.

doi:10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.08.007


Received: 2020-12-27

Revised: 2021-05-20

Accepted: 2021-08-19

Available online: 2021-11-01


Abstract:

The equivalent elastic modulus is a parameter for controlling the deformation behavior of fractured rock masses in the equivalent continuum approach. The confining stress, whose effect on the equivalent elastic modulus is of great importance, is the fundamental stress environment of natural rock masses. This paper employs an analytical approach to obtain the equivalent elastic modulus of fractured rock masses containing random discrete fractures (RDFs) or regular fracture sets (RFSs) while considering the confining stress. The proposed analytical solution considers not only the elastic properties of the intact rocks and fractures, but also the geometrical structure of the fractures and the confining stress. The performance of the analytical solution is verified by comparing it with the results of numerical tests obtained using the three-dimensional distinct element code (3DEC), leading to a reasonably good agreement. The analytical solution quantitatively demonstrates that the equivalent elastic modulus increases substantially with an increase in confining stress, i.e. it is characterized by stress-dependency. Further, a sensitivity analysis of the variables in the analytical solution is conducted using a global sensitivity analysis approach, i.e. the extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (EFAST). The variations in the sensitivity indices for different ranges and distribution types of the variables are investigated. The results provide an in-depth understanding of the influence of the variables on the equivalent elastic modulus from different perspectives.

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Keywords: Equivalent elastic modulus, Confining stress, Rock masses, Sensitivity

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Donghui Chen, Huie Chen, Wen Zhang, Junqing Lou, Bo Shan, 2022. An analytical solution of equivalent elastic modulus considering confining stress and its variables sensitivity analysis for fractured rock masses. J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng. 14 (3), 825-836.

Author(s) Information

Donghui Chen

Donghui Chen obtained his BSc degree in Resources Exploration Engineering from Taiyuan University of Technology, China, in 2015, and his MSc and PhD degrees in Geological Engineering from Jilin University, China, in 2018 and 2021, respectively. His research interests include (1) analysis and evaluation of structural characteristic, mechanical strength and stability of fractured rock masses; and (2) evaluation and prediction of geological disaster.