Applicability of a joint constitutive model: correlation with field observations

This paper presents the results of numerical studies that illustrate the performance of a new joint constitutive model developed for the stability analysis of large-scale jointed rock masses. The joint model features the reduction of stiffness and strength due to joint initial opening and scale effect, which has been demonstrated by performing a series of direct shear tests. The study thus focuses on the model’s applicability to field-scale rock...