Dynamic mechanical properties and constitutive model for jointed mudstone samples subjected to cyclic loading

The dynamic properties of rocks are of great significance to the stability and safety of rock slopes and geological engineering under dynamic loads (e.g. seismic load). In this paper, triaxial cyclic tests were carried out on jointed mudstone samples with the prefabricated half-through joint, and their corresponding dynamic properties and deformation features are explored and analyzed in accordance with the hysteresis characteristics and the residual deformation forms. Moreover, based on the obtained fatigue properties under test conditions of diverse dip angles, confining pressures and dynamic stress, a dynamic stress ratio Rs is proposed, which gives a logarithmic correlation with the fatigue life of mudstone samples. Finally, on the basis of the breakage mechanics and homogenization theory, a dynamic binary-medium constitutive model is proposed, and the validations accompanied with the comparisons to test results are also given. It shows that this model can not only preferably duplicate the typical features of hysteresis loops and the gradually accumulation of the residual strain, but also gives a good consistence with the deformation features and fatigue life obtained from cyclic tests.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the dynamic properties and deformation features of rocks through triaxial cyclic tests, proposing a dynamic stress ratio Rs and a dynamic binary-medium constitutive model. The results demonstrate that the model can effectively replicate the typical features of hysteresis loops and is consistent with experimental results.