The DECOVALEX test—Case one

This test case is based on experimental data from a study of the mechanical and hydraulic reaction of a natural rough joint upon normal and shear stress loading. The test was conducted in NGI's Coupled Shear Flow Test apparatus, which allows large diameter jointed rock cores to be tested under controlled boundary stresses with multiple loading-unloading cycles. Five teams have modelled two joints, using finite and discrete element codes with different joint constitutive laws. The simulation results agree well with the experimental data during pure normal stress loading, and less well for shear displacement induced joint dilation.