Influence analysis on the shear behaviour and failure mode of grout-filled jointed rock using 3D DEM coupled with the cohesive zone model

Grouting is one of the primary methods used to reinforce the strength of fractured rock masses. In this study, a three-dimensional discrete element method (3D Co-DEM) grouted joint shear model, which consists of upper and lower intact rock blocks, 3D real joint surfaces and a grout-filled layer, was developed with the cohesive zone model. The 3D real joint surface was imported into the model using 3D scanning point cloud data, and the grout-filled layer was described by a cohesive zone model. Then, a numerical simulation algorithm was developed to implement the numerical direct shear test and grout-filled layer cracking simulation. Also, the parameters of the proposed method were calibrated, and the effectiveness of the cohesive zone model and direct shear numerical test were verified by comparison with analytical and experimental results. Finally, grouted jointed specimens with regular sawtooth were used to analyse the influencing factors of shear characteristics. Numerical tests showed that shear peak strength and residual strength decrease with increasing grout water-cement ratio but increase with increasing JRC. Specifically, with increasing sawtooth inclination angle, the shear peak strength first decreases and then increases, while the peak shear strength increases as the sawtooth height increases.

Automated summary

A three-dimensional discrete element method (3D Co-DEM) grouted joint shear model was developed to reinforce fractured rock masses. The model consisted of intact rock blocks, 3D real joint surfaces, and a grout-filled layer using a cohesive zone model. A numerical simulation algorithm was implemented to perform the direct shear test and grout-filled layer cracking simulation, which were validated through comparison with analytical and experimental results. The study also analyzed the influencing factors of shear characteristics using grouted jointed specimens with regular sawtooth.