Particle movement in rock fissures

influenced by dynamic water action

often leads to infiltration damage. To address the random and hidden nature of natural rock fissures

a fissure channel with a rough joint surface was constructed using a three-dimensional Weierstrass-Mandelbrot fractal function. A transparent and refined fracture channel was obtained using 3D printing technique

and the movement of particles in the fissures under the action of moving water was studied using microfluidic control instruments. The influences of the degree of fissure roughness

the ratio of particle size to fissure width (it is referred to “particle-to-gap size rate” in text)

and the seepage pressure on particle initiation and transport were analyzed to deduce the possibility of infiltration damage in rock. The results show that of particle movement in rock fissures is related to three factors: the degree of fissure roughness

the water pressure

and the particle-to-gap size rate. Larger fissure roughness or larger particle-to-gap size rate makes particle movement less likely

reducing the possibility of seepage failure. At the same time

the water pressure is the dominant factor in particle movement

the impact of particle-to-gap size rate on particle movement is related to water pressure. There is a specific water pressure critical value. Below this value

the influence of particle-to-gap size rate on average movement speed is not obvious. Beyond this value

the influence increases significantly. The critical water pressure value is related to the degree of fissure roughness. The rougher the fissure

the higher the critical water pressure.