A NEW ANISOTROPIC FAILURE CRITERION FOR TRANSVERSELY ISOTROPIC SOLIDS

A coordinate-free formulation of a failure criterion for transversely isotropic solids is proposed. In the three-dimensional stress space th e criterion is represented by an elliptic paraboloid. The anisotropic form of tile proposed criterion is based on generalization of the seco nd invariant of the deviatoric stress and of the mean stress obtained through the introduction of a unique fourth-order tenser. For isotropi c conditions, the criterion reduces to the Mises-Schleicher failure co ndition. It is shown that the criterion satisfactorily predicts the st rength anisotropy of transversely isotropic rocks subjected to an axis ymmetric stress state. The procedure for the identification of the par ameters of the criterion from a few simple laboratory tests is outline d. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.