On the selection of joint constitutive models for geomechanics simulation of fractured rocks
Qinghua Lei, Nick Barton
Abstract
Fractures such as faults and joints often dominate the mechanical strength and deformation of rock masses. It is thus of central importance to adopt an appropriate joint constitutive model in geomechanics simulations so that the behaviour of fractures can be realistically represented. Over the past decades, various joint constitutive models have been proposed from theoretical/experimental perspectives and implemented into different geomechanics solvers. However, numerical modelling researchers are often confronted and even confused with the question about which joint model to use in their simulations, especially when a compromise needs to be reached between the realism (or complexity) of the selected constitutive model and the difficulty in the numerical implementation. In this Short Communication, we review some of the popular joint constitutive laws that have been used for geomechanics simulations and present a discussion on their suitability and limitations, aiming to provide a guidance for the joint constitutive model selection for computer simulations. We also point out a few unrealistic features of some widely used joint constitutive models with corresponding corrections recommended.