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title of the thesis - Department of Geology - Queen's University

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Rock mass failure is governed by <strong>the</strong> Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope (Fig. 4.4). The envelope is<br />

defined by <strong>the</strong> equation,<br />

τ = σ n tan(Ф) + C, (Equation 4.1)<br />

where<br />

τ = <strong>the</strong> resolved shear stress,<br />

σ n = <strong>the</strong> normal stress,<br />

C = <strong>the</strong> cohesion, and<br />

Ф = <strong>the</strong> angle <strong>of</strong> internal friction.<br />

Both cohesion and <strong>the</strong> angle <strong>of</strong> internal friction are specified in each model. Parameters are<br />

consistent for <strong>the</strong> rock mass and are varied for <strong>the</strong> discontinuities.<br />

Field <strong>of</strong><br />

Failure<br />

Field <strong>of</strong><br />

Stability<br />

Figure 4.4: Mohr circle and Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope defined by cohesion and angle <strong>of</strong> internal<br />

friction (Ф).<br />

Shear zones, which dissect <strong>the</strong> rock mass, are generally schistose as compared to <strong>the</strong>ir granitic<br />

host rock. These are modeled as discontinuities with lower strength than <strong>the</strong> surrounding rock<br />

mass (Table 4.1). The geometry <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> shear zones is simplified. The model assumes that shear<br />

83

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