The characteristics of structural discontinuities in the subsurface environment often play a key role in the overall behaviour of such systems and their response to externally imposed conditions. Rock joints are one of such features that constitute the heterogeneity of rock masses. Akin to other forms of discontinuities, the characteristics of rock joints affect the performance of their parent rock masses, which are constituents of rock formations. The fracturing process is one of such key geo-mechanical phenomena that is inevitably influenced by pre-existing joints. A numerical technique implemented via a discrete element method (DEM) is herein adopted to evaluate two fundamental properties that control the shear and dilatancy responses of discontinuities. Though these properties are also assessed in isolation, their interdependency, which is a dominant factor, is investigated. As joint frictional resistance increases, it escalates the potential of the joint to attenuate the rate of fracture growth. On the other hand, an increase in joint dilatancy increases the intensity of fracturing. The impact of joint frictional resistance is more pronounced at high friction magnitudes, and in this range, the predominant influence of joint friction overwhelms any effect of joint dilatancy. Contrarily, at low joint frictional resistance, contributions from even a small magnitude of joint dilatancy increases the degree of fracturing. The inter-relationship between joint friction and dilatancy has influencing implications that govern the performance of rock masses. An inquiry into their combined contributions provides information prerequisite for a more accurate estimation and appraisal of fracture behaviour in underground systems.

地下环境中结构间断的特征通常在此类系统的整体行为及其对外部条件的响应中起关键作用。岩缝是构成岩体非均质性的特征之一。与其他形式的不连续点类似，节理的特征会影响其母岩体的性能，而母岩体是岩层的组成部分。断裂过程是这种关键的地质力学现象之一，不可避免地受到既有节理的影响。本文采用通过离散元素方法（DEM）实现的数值技术来评估控制不连续性的剪力和剪胀响应的两个基本属性。尽管也单独评估了这些属性，但是它们之间的相互依赖性，研究了占主导地位的因素。随着关节摩擦阻力的增加，它会增加关节的潜力，从而削弱骨折的发展速度。另一方面，联合扩张性的增加增加了断裂的强度。关节摩擦阻力的影响在高摩擦幅度下更为明显，在此范围内，关节摩擦的主要影响压倒了关节扩张的任何影响。相反，在较低的接头摩擦阻力下，即使很小的接头膨胀率也会增加断裂的程度。关节摩擦力和膨胀率之间的相互关系具有影响岩体性能的影响。