Closure deformation model for rock joints considering asperity interaction

The load-closure behavior of rough surfaces remains to be an open question of interest with applications in many practical rock engineering problems. According to the elastic theory, a theoretical model is further developed for obtaining the stress-closure behavior of rock joints. The present model can account for the deformed asperity interaction expressed by a uniform pressure. The composite topography is used to capture the features of rock joints under different contacts and the corresponding topography parameters are the input parameters for validity of the proposed model. The new model is also suitable for solving the closure behavior of rock joints with waviness component. Compared with those by the Xia model, which ignores the asperity interaction, the calculated curves by the proposed model fit the experimental results well.