Shear banding modelling in cross-anisotropic rocks

Sedimentary geomaterials such as rocks frequently exhibit cross-anisotropic properties and their behaviour depends on the direction of loading with respect to their microstructure. As far as material rupture is concerned, localised deformation in shear band mode appears generally before cracks and material failure. The influence of cross-anisotropy on the shear strain localisation remains an important issue and is investigated in the present study. To do so, a constitutive elastoplastic cross-anisotropic model that includes anisotropy both on the elastic and plastic characteristics is defined. For the plastic part of the model, the anisotropy of a strength parameter is introduced with a microstructure fabric tensor. Then, the fractures are modelled with finite element methods by considering the development of shear strain localisation bands and an enriched model is used to properly reproduce the shear banding. The cross-anisotropy influence on shear banding is studied through numerical applications of small and large-scale geotechnical problems that engender fractures. The two considered applications are a plane-strain biaxial compression test and an underground gallery excavation. The numerical results provide information about the influence of cross-anisotropy on the appearance and development of shear bands. It has been noticed, among other observations, that the material strength vary with the loading direction and that the development and the shape of the excavation fractured zone that develops around a gallery is strongly influenced by the material anisotropy.