Comparing the Hoek-Brown and Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria in FEM analysis

Abstract

This paper revisits the issue of a potential substitutions of the Hoek-Brown failure model by the standard Mohr-Coulomb model in the stability analysis of rock masses. The derivation of equivalent shear strength parameters of the Mohr-Coulomb proposed by Hoek et al. [1] is addressed with emphases on the suitable range of stresses for which the equivalence of the two failure criteria applies. To that end, a simple numerical analysis of the oedometric test is carried out. It is seen that a correct choice of the upper limit of the minimum compressive principal stress is crucial for the Mohr-Coulomb model to provide predictions comparable to the Hoek-Brown model. This issue is addressed next in the light of the solution of slope stability problem. All the presented results were derived with the help of the GEO5 FEM finite element software [2].