Laboratory and numerical study of post-peak constitutive behaviour of hard rock

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Excvations in rock result in local redistribution of loads [stresses]. In deep excavations or in weak rockmasses this can result in local failure in the rock walls and roof of the excavation. Ground support is used to control this process. Ground behaviour in the failing and failed state dictates how well the support elements function. While the current state of knowledge on the initiation of failure and peak strength is probably adequate for the solution of most rock engineering problems the same cannot be said for post-failure rock characteristics. The  proposed research will use a new state-of-the-art rock testing system to load and image samples into the post failue zone. Finite element computer modelling will be done to evaluate appropriate post-failure parameters. This work will be directly applicable to borehole stability studies and is expected to provide guidance toward this same problem at larger field scales [e.g. tunnels, mines, etc].