A novel anisotropic deterioration mechanical model for rock ductile–brittle failure under 3D high-stress and its application

After the excavation of deep underground engineering, the three-dimensional (3D) stress state redistributes, leading to a significant change in the mechanical properties of the surrounding rock; however, the mechanical properties and parameter evolutions of rock under true triaxial stress are not clear, and theoretical mechanical models characterizing the above rock properties for surrounding rock stability analysis are very deficient. Therefore, in this research, a series of true triaxial compression tests and cyclic loading and unloading tests were carried out to investigate 3D stress-induced anisotropic behaviours, ductile–brittle characteristics and mechanical parameter evolutions. The determination methods of the mechanical parameters of Young’s modulus Ei, cohesion c, internal friction angle φ and dilation angle ψ in the rock failure process under true triaxial stresses were established, and the evolution functions of the mechanical parameters were proposed. A 3D degradation mechanical model for rock ductile–brittle and anisotropic behaviours under true triaxial stress was established. A numerical calculation program of the proposed model was implemented, and the simulation results agreed with the experimental results. The engineering application of the proposed model was further investigated with an improved index of rock fracture degree for the localized asymmetric failure of deep surrounding rock after excavation.