Jointed Material

The effects of strength anisotropy due to jointing or other planes of weakness can be accounted for with the Jointed Material option on the Strength tab of the Material Properties dialog. Using a "ubiquitous joints" approach (Azami et.al. 2012 , Zinkewiecz & Pande 1977), you may define 1, 2 or 3 distinct joint orientations each with its own strength criterion. To define a jointed material:

1. In the Material Properties dialog, select the Strength tab.
2. Select the Jointed Material checkbox.
The Jointed Material option is only available in conjunction with the Mohr-Coulomb or Generalized Hoek-Brown Failure Criterion.
3. Select the Joint Options button and you will see the Joint Options dialog.
4. In the Joint Options dialog you can define 1, 2 or 3 distinct joint orientations each with it's own strength criterion.
5. When you are finished defining the joint properties select OK.

During the analysis, RS3 will simultaneously consider the following at each node:

• the joint strength and
• the rock mass strength (defined by the Failure Criterion)

Failure may then occur in the rock mass and/or along joint planes. For an example of the Jointed Material option see RS3 Stress Verification #8.