A simplified approach to directly consider intact rock anisotropy in Hoek–Brown failure criterion

Abstract

Many rock types have naturally occurring inherent anisotropic planes, such as bedding planes, foliation, or flow structures. Such characteristic induces directional features and anisotropy in rocks' strength and deformational properties. The Hoek–Brown (H–B) failure criterion is an empirical strength criterion widely applied to rock mechanics and engineering. A direct modification to H–B failure criterion to account for rock anisotropy is considered as the base of the research. Such modification introduced a new definition of the anisotropy as direct parameter named the anisotropic parameter (Kβ). However, the computation of this parameter takes much experimental work and cannot be calculated in a simple way. The aim of this paper is to study the trend of the relation between the degree of anisotropy (Rc) and the minimum value of anisotropic parameter (Kmin), and to predict the Kmin directly from the uniaxial compression tests instead of triaxial tests, and also to decrease the amount of experimental work.

Keywords

• Anisotropy
• Hoek–Brown failure criterion
• Rock mechanics
• Anisotropic parameter
• Degree of anisotropy