A new method for evaluating the rock mass damage index based on the field point load strength

The damage index is a crucial controlling parameter for rock mass strength and deformation in civil, geological and mining engineering projects. In this study, a new method was proposed for computing the damage index of a rock mass based on the field point load strength. This method provides a strength ratio whose numerator is the point load strength (PLS) of splitting along the pre-existing joint and whose denominator is the PLS of intact rock failure. To validate this method, the author derived a relationship between the damage index and the integrality coefficient using an empirical relation. Moreover, numerous experimental tests were conducted, including P-wave testing and on-site point load testing. Finally, linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between the new damage index D_R and the integrality coefficient K_v. This study demonstrates that the presented new method is sensitive to both plasticity and damage in estimating the damage degree of rock mas...

损伤指数是土木、地质及采矿工程中控制岩体强度与变形的关键参数。本研究提出了一种基于现场点荷载强度的岩体损伤指数计算新方法。该方法构建了一种强度比：其分子为沿原生节理劈裂的点荷载强度（Point Load Strength, PLS），分母为完整岩石破坏时的点荷载强度（PLS）。为验证该方法的有效性，本文作者基于经验关系式推导得到了损伤指数与完整性系数之间的关联。此外，本研究开展了大量试验测试，包括纵波测试与现场点荷载试验。最终，通过线性回归分析，探究了新型损伤指数D_R与完整性系数K_v之间的相关性。本研究表明，所提出的新型方法在评估岩体损伤程度时，对塑性与损伤均具有良好的敏感性。