Experimental study on the effect of water-induced deterioration on shear properties of bolted rock joints

The investigation into the impact of dry and wet cycles as well as prolonged immersion on the shear properties of bolted rock joints can facilitate comprehension of the mechanism behind shear damage in anchorage rock slopes located within dam sites, which is crucial for conducting long-term stability analyses of such slopes and ensuring safe operation of hydropower plants. In this study, the sandstone from the Three Gorges reservoir area was collected and utilized to made into bolted rock joint specimens, which underwent 12 cycles of wetting and drying as well as 180 days of immersion before undergoing direct shear tests to investigate the degradation of their mechanical properties. The test results indicate that both treatments for water deterioration can significantly reduce the peak shear strength of bolted sandstone joints. The shear deformation characteristics of bolts also vary with the decrease in rock mass strength. As the number of wet and dry cycles, as well as immersion time, increases, the plastic hinge length of the bolt gradually extends. The surface roughness of the joint has an impact on the fracture mode of the bolt. In a flat joint, the fracture section of the bolt exhibits a certain inclination angle, indicating a damage mode where positive and shear stresses act in concert; whereas in a rough joint, the fracture section of the anchor rod shows almost zero inclination angle and is damaged under positive stress. Finally, an attempt was made to apply the conclusions of this paper to engineering by conducting a time-varying reliability analysis of the generalized anchored slope model. The results obtained have significant guidance for evaluating the long-term stability of anchored slopes in hydropower projects.