Publications Details
Laboratory measurements of frictional slip on interfaces in a polycarbonate rock mass model
The evaluation of the stability of the openings for the Exploratory Studies Facility and a potential repository for high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, Nevada will require computer codes capable of predicting slip on rock joints resulting from changes in thermal stresses. The geometrical method of analysis of moire fringe analysis was used to evaluate the magnitude and extent of frictional sliding in a layered polycarbonate rock mass model containing a circular hole. Slips were observed in confined zones around the hole and micron resolutions were obtained. Unpredicted and uncontrolled uniform slip of several interfaces in the model were observed giving considerable uncertainty in the boundary conditions of the model, perhaps making detailed comparison with numerical models impossible.