Physical, empirical and numerical modeling of jointed rock mass strength

Abstract: The presence of complicated discontinuity patterns, the inherent statistical nature of their geometrical parameters, and the uncertainties involved in the estimation of their geometrical and geo-mechanical properties and in-situ stress make accurate prediction of rock mass strength a very difficult task. It has been a great challenge for the rock mechanics and rock engineering profession to develop a rock mass strength criterion in three dimensions (3-D) which captures the scale effects and anisotropic properties. Rock mechanics and rock engineering researchers have dealt with this topic for more than 50 years. The aim of this paper is to provide the state-ofthe-art on estimation of jointed rock mass strength using physical, empirical and numerical modeling methodologies.