Semi-empirical analytical modelling of equivalent dynamic shear strength (EDSS) of rock joint

A systematic dynamic triaxial series of tests on replicated rough rock joints were carried out, and results clearly highlight the strength attenuation as a function of joint degradation with respect to the number of loading cycles. A novel semi-empirical mathematical model to evaluate the equivalent dynamic shear strength (EDSS) of rock joint is proposed and validated with experimental results based on two sets of rock joints using rough (JRC = 12.6) and relatively smoother (JRC = 7.2) joint specimens.