Evaluation of Failure Behavior and Strength of Fractured Rock Sample using in-situ Triaxial Compression Tests and Expanded Distinct Element Method

The in-situ tests have been widely used to directly assess the strength and deformability of rock mass, along with which, various numerical approaches were proposed to give rational interpretations to the mechanical phenomenon happening during these tests. In this study, the so-called potential cracks are introduced into DEM model, leading to expanded DEM (EDEM) approach which is capable of simulating the cracking in intact rocks. The EDEM is applied to an in-situ triaixal compression test on a fractured rock sample. The simulation has well represented the failure mode, peak stress and elastic modulus obtained from tests as well as the cracking phenomenon and the slips on fracture planes during the loading process.