A conceptual model for the peak shear strength of fresh and unweathered rock joints

•A model for the shear strength of fresh and unweathered rock joints are proposed.•The model explains how roughness, matedness and scale interact.•Measured and calculated shear strengths are compared with good agreement.

Several criteria have been proposed over the years in order to predict the peak shear strength of rock joints. The most widely used criterion is the JRC–JCS criterion by Barton. It says that changes in the peak shear strength originate from surface roughness, joint wall compressive strength and normal stress. A limitation with this criterion is that the contribution from roughness could be overestimated for natural and mismatched joints if the joint roughness coefficient, JRC, is estimated based on the direct profiling method. To account for this effect, Zhao introduced the joint matching coefficient, JMC, which accounts for the matedness of the joint. In addition to this, it is known that the scale of the sheared joint could affect the peak shear strength. However, no criterion exists that describes how roughness, matedness and scale interact. In this paper, a conceptual model is proposed. The model is based on adhesion and fractal theory, measurements of surface roughness and the anticipated variation of the number and size of the contact points. The model proposes how the compressive strength and the roughness of the joint surface together with the matedness of the joint interact in order to form the shear strength of the joint under constant normal load conditions. The model also suggests an explanation for the scale effect of rock joints with respect to the surface roughness.