An experimental study of the hydromechanical properties of granite joints

Abstract

An experimental study was carried out in granite joints coming from an underground hydroelectric power scheme, with the purpose of obtaining values of the parameters that describe their hydromechanical behaviour under normal stress. The paper starts with a brief critical review of the hydromechanical idealisations that have been used for the joints, followed by the description of the testing equipment and testing procedure. The test results are then presented and analysed, and the parameters obtained are discussed.