Discontinuity (geotechnical engineering)

<p>In <a href="/facts/Geotechnical_engineering/Nw55uq9R">geotechnical engineering</a>, a  discontinuity (often referred to as a joint) is a plane or surface that marks a change in physical or chemical characteristics in a <a href="/facts/Soil/5Ddpr3QM">soil</a> or <a href="/facts/Rock_(geology)/FXCJkmop">rock</a> mass. A discontinuity can be, for example, a <a href="/facts/Bed_(geology)/vgEm2Y93">bedding</a>, <a href="/facts/Schist/jHBjtEQw">schistosity</a>, <a href="/facts/Foliation_(geology)/8gk9jSIE">foliation</a>, <a href="/facts/Joint_(geology)/Y78Q9UbK">joint</a>, <a href="/facts/Cleavage_(geology)/Ts2TbDap">cleavage</a>, <a href="/facts/Fracture_(geology)/qXCBP20K">fracture</a>, <a href="/facts/Fissure/GY5JGTkv">fissure</a>, crack, or <a href="/facts/Fault_(geology)/0Fw2ladx">fault</a> plane. A division is made between mechanical and integral discontinuities. Discontinuities may occur multiple times with broadly the same mechanical characteristics in a discontinuity set, or may be a single discontinuity. A discontinuity makes a soil or rock mass <a href="/facts/Anisotropy/YMqTQWVB">anisotropic</a>.
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Discontinuity (geotechnical engineering) open-in-new

Discontinuity (geotechnical engineering)