Laboratory Tests and Numerical Simulations to Determine the Load Bearing Capacity of Pillars

摘要

Uniaxial and triaxial compressive strength tests on homogenous, jointed and confined samples were conducted in order to determine the load bearing capacity of model pillars with different width to length to height ratios and to improve the understanding of pillar mechanics. In addition, numerical simulations of the same sample dimensions were carried out. The objective was to compare laboratory tests with the results of numerical simulations and to determine to what extend the latter can substitute laboratory tests.