Study on the Failure Mechanism of Basalts with Columnar Joints in the Unloading Process on the Basis of an Experimental Cavity

Basalt with columnar joints is a kind of jointed rock body cut by both original joints and aphanitic microcracks. After unloading during excavation, such rock bodies manifest obvious mechanical phenomena such as discontinuities, anisotropy, and liability to fracture. In this work, the failure modes of basalts with columnar joints are studied based on monitoring of test tunnels on the one hand, and also through the mechanical properties of the original joints and those of microfissures of aphanitic microcracks in the unloading process analyzed by a discrete element method using a strain-softening constitutive model. Through comprehensive analysis of the numerical simulation results and the monitored behaviors of the basalts with columnar joints, their failure mechanisms are revealed, which may provide a basis for choosing suitable support plans for this kind of rock mass.