Effects of the micro-structure and micro-parameters on the mechanical behaviour of transversely isotropic rock in Brazilian tests

Based on the Brazilian test results of 23 kinds of transversely isotropic rocks, five trends are obtained for the variation of normalized failure strength (NFS) as a function of the weak plane-loading angles. For each angle, three kinds of fracture patterns are obtained. Furthermore, a new numerical approach based on the particle discrete element method is put forward to systematically investigate the influence of the micro-structure of rock matrix and strength of weak plane on NFS and fracture patterns. The results reveal that the trend of NFS and fracture patterns are slightly influenced by coordination number of rock particles and tensile strength of weak plane, but greatly influenced by percentage of pre-existing cracks and shear strength of weak plane. Micro-parameters of the numerical approach are calibrated to reproduce behaviours of transversely isotropic rocks with different trends, and the simulation results are well matched with experimental results in terms of NFS and fracture patterns. Finally, the numerical approach is applied to study the failure process of layered surrounding rock after tunnel excavation. The simulation results also agree well with observation results of engineering projects.