V. Sarfarazi - Department of Mining Engineering, Hamedan University of Technology, Hamedan, Iran
H. Karimi Javid - Department of Mining Engineering, Hamedan University of Technology, Hamedan, Iran
K. Asgari - Department of Mining Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

The experimental and numerical methods were used to investigate the effects of joint number and joint angle on the failure behaviour of rock pillars under a uniaxial compressive test. The gypsum samples with dimensions of ۲۰۰ mm × ۲۰۰ mm × ۵۰ mm were prepared. The compressive strength of the intact sample was ۷.۲ MPa. The imbeded joint was placed inside the specimen. The joint length was ۶ cm in a constant joint length. There were several numbers of cracks including one, two, and three cracks. In the experimental tests, the angles of the diagonal plane with respect to the horizontal axis were ۰, ۳۰, ۶۰, and ۹۰ degrees. The axial load was applied to the model with a rate of ۰.۰۱ mm/s. In the fracture analysis code, the angles of the diagonal plane with respect to the horizontal axis were ۰, ۱۵, ۳۰, ۴۵, ۶۰, ۷۵, and ۹۰ degrees. A constant axial load of ۱۳۵ MPa was applied to the model. The results obtained showed that the failure process was mostly dependent on the angle and number of the non-persistent joint. The compressive strength of the samples was dependent on the fracture pattern and the failure mechanism of the discontinuities. It was shown that the tensile cracks were developed whithin the model. The strength of the specimens increased by increasing both the joint angle and joint number. The joint angle of ۴۵°  KI had the maximum quantity. The stress intensity factor was decreased by increasing the joint number. The failure pattern and failure strength were analogous in both methods, i.e. the experimental testing and the numerical simulation methods.

FRANC۲D, Physical test, rock pillar, Joint