A modified failure criterion for transversely isotropic rocks

•A rock failure criterion has been modified for the strength of transversely isotropic rocks.•Comparing with Hoek-Brown and Ramamurthy criteria it shows better fitting with rock strength.•During modification an index was obtained which can be considered as strength anisotropy effect.

A modified failure criterion is proposed to determine the strength of transversely isotropic rocks. Mechanical properties of some metamorphic and sedimentary rocks including gneiss, slate, marble, schist, shale, sandstone and limestone, which show transversely isotropic behavior, were taken into consideration. Afterward, introduced triaxial rock strength criterion was modified for transversely isotropic rocks. Through modification process an index was obtained that can be considered as a strength reduction parameter due to rock strength anisotropy. Comparison of the parameter with previous anisotropy indexes in literature showed reasonable results for the studied rock samples. The modified criterion was compared to modified Hoek-Brown and Ramamurthy criteria for different transversely isotropic rocks. It can be concluded that the modified failure criterion proposed in this study can be used for predicting the strength of transversely isotropic rocks.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide