Influence of radial stress on strainbursts under true triaxial conditions: Insights from a distinct element modelling

Abstract The radial (minimum) stress of the near-boundary rockmass in deep excavations plays a key role in inducing rock failures such as spalling and strainbursts. In this study, a strainburst is treated as a structural failure of the near-boundary rockmass. The influence of the radial stress acting asymmetrically on one boundary surface of the burst volume on strainbursts is numerically investigated using a 3D bonded block distinct element method (DEM). The 3D DEM model for simulating the overall process of strainbursts is introduced and its effectiveness is verified by comparing with the analogous true triaxial experiments. Then based on the simulation results, the influence of radial stress on strainbursts is studied from the perspectives of deformation and strength characteristics, fracturing process, crack development, failure mode and energy balance. In addition, discussions of the mechanisms of the influence of radial stress on strainbursts are presented from the perspectives of fracture mechanics and a graphical explanation. Results show that, as the radial stress increases, the strength of the strainburst sample exhibits a quadratic law that increases first and then decreases, the number of shear cracks increases remarkably, the degree of accumulated rock damage precedes burst is getting higher and higher, the failure mode of strainbursts transforms gradually from a tensile-type to a shear-type, and the kinetic energy is getting higher and higher. The fundamental influence of radial stress on strainbursts is concluded as its suppression effect on the tensile failure mechanism of brittle rocks.