Plastic Flow of Rock Under a Pointed Punch in Plane Strain

Abstract

Solutions are presented for the plane-strain plastic flow of rock under a pointed punch for two cases. In the first problem the indentation of a half space by a pointed punch is considered, and in the second the influence of a previous indentation on the formation of the next indentation is evaluated. The plasticity theory used in this analysis was developed by the authors earlier for rock mechanics applications. This theory incorporates a yield surface which is dependent on the mean normal stress and normality of the deformation rate vector to the yield surface. Work-hardening and elastic strains are neglected in the theory. These solutions furnish the analytical basis for some elementary experiments which may help to evaluate the theory.