Method for preparing artificial columnar jointed rock mass specimens by using 3D printing technology

Taking regular hexagonal columnar jointed rock mass as an object, a method for preparing artificial columnar jointed rock mass specimens is proposed based on 3D printing technology. The 3D digital model for columnar joints network is firstly established by using the software Solidworks, then photopolymer resin is chosen as the printing material and cylindrical columnar joint network models with different dip angles are printed by a 3D printer. Then taking these cylindrical columnar joint network models as moulds, the artificial columnar jointed rock mass specimens are prepared following the processes of pouring white cement slurry into the mould, demoulding prisms from the cylindrical columnar joint network model and gluing the prisms. The uniaxial compression tests are performed on these artificial columnar jointed rock mass specimens, and the uniaxial compression strengths, deformations and failure properties are analyzed. Based on the above, the reliability of the proposed method was verified preliminarily. From the results, it is indicated that the structural properties and the weakening effect of columnar joints on the strength of columnar jointed rock mass are well duplicated by the proposed method, and the specimens can meet the laboratory experiment requirements well.