Three-dimensional limit analysis of rigid blocks assemblages. Part I: Torsion failure on frictional interfaces and limit analysis formulation

The governing equations of plastic torsion of, arbitrarily shaped, frictional interfaces are established and a general solution is proposed. The case of rectangular interfaces is used to study the interactions of torsion strength with bending moments and shear forces. In order to solve limit analysis problems, a piecewise linear approximation of the yield function for rectangular interfaces is proposed. A model for the limit analysis of three-dimensional block assemblages interacting through no-tension frictional interfaces is presented including the proposal for the torsion failure mode. This model takes into account non-associated flow rules and limited compressive stresses at the interfaces.