Evaluation of scale and loading direction effects on strength and deformability of jointed rock mass: case study of Tazareh coal mine, Iran

Determining strength and deformation of jointed rock masses is an inevitable part of geomechanical projects. Strength and deformability of a rock mass with stochastic joint sets is conceivably anisotropic and is mainly controlled by joints mechanical and geometrical properties. In this paper, strength and deformation behavior of jointed rock masses has been evaluated at Tazareh coal mine, Iran. Field mappings through scanline method have been used to collect joints spatial features on rock surfaces. A statistical evaluation has been carried out on field data using Dips software. Then, geomechanical properties of intact blocks have been measured conducting uniaxial compressive strength test. Finally, the rock mass is modelled using 3DEC, and its behavior is analyzed in some cases with different loading directions and block sizes to obtain representative elementary volume (REV) based on strength and deformation, respectively.