Constitutive model for jointed materials

The jointed material model is intended to provide a simple, continuum model for materials containing a high density of parallel joint surfaces in different orientations. The spacing of the joints of a particular orientation is assumed to be sufficiently close compared to characteristic dimensions in the domain of the model that the joints can be smeared into a continuum of slip systems. An obvious application is the modeling of geotechnical problems where the medium of interest is composed of significantly faulted rock. In this context, models similar to the one described next have been proposed in the past; see, for example, the model formulated by Zienkiewicz and Pande (1977).

The following topics are discussed:

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Jointed material model

ProductsAbaqus/Standard

The model implemented in Abaqus/Standard provides for opening of the joints, or frictional sliding of the joints, in each of these systems (a “system” in this context is a joint orientation in a particular direction at a material calculation point). In addition to the joint systems, the model includes a bulk material failure mechanism. This is based on the Drucker-Prager failure criterion.