A continuum model of layered rock masses with non-associative joint plasticity

Layered rock masses can be modelled either as standard, orthotropic continua if the layer bending can be neglected or as Cosserat continua if the influence of layer bending is essential. This paper presents a finite element smeared joint model based on the Cosserat theory. The layers are assumed to be elastic with equal thickness and equal mechanical properties. All the cosserat parameters are expressed through the elastic properties of layers, layer thickness and joint stiffness. Plastic-slip as well as tensile-opening of layer interface (joint) are accounted for in a manner similar to the conventional non-associative plasticity theory. As an application, the behaviour of an excavation in a layered rock mass is examined. The displacement and stress fields given by smeared joint models based on the Cosserat continuum and the conventional anisotropic continuum approaches are compared with those obtained from the discrete joint model. The conventional anisotropic continuum model is found to break-down completely when the effective shear modulus in the direction parallel to layering is low in comparison to the shear modulus of the intact layer, whereas the Cosserat model is found to be capable of accurately reproducing complex load–deflection patterns irrespective of the differences in shear moduli.