Occurrence, Origin And

Engineering
Considerations Of Joints
 OCCURRENCE OF
JOINTS
• Igneous rocks – sheet, columnar and mural joints
• Joints in Sedimentary rocks
• Joints in metamorphic rocks
 IGNEOUS ROCKS
• Sheet jointing – horizontal set of joints dividing rocks into a
sheeting structure
• Mural jointing – may occur in 3 sets of joints in such a way
that one set is horizontal and other 2 are vertical, all 3
mutually at right angles to each other
• Columnar jointing – observed in volcanic rocks – also called
as prismatic joints.
• Sedimentary rocks – joints may be systematic or non-
systematic. Joints may be closed and regularly spaced sets,
parallel and sub-parallel to each other. In some, joints may
develop parallel to bedding plane – bedding joints

• Metamorphic rocks – irregular or non systematic joints

caused due to local and regional stresses acting on rock as a
source of metamorphism
 ORIGIN OF JOINTS
3 principle processes involves

1. Contraction during formation –

• sedimentary rocks plastic in nature and rich in moisture in

initial stages undergo some contraction on drying up resulting
in irregular jointing

• igneous rocks undergoes contraction during cooling –

resulting in contraction or shrinkage causing jointing
 ORIGIN OF JOINTS
3 principle processes involves

2. Expansion and contraction

• Repeated expansion and contraction of rocks in dry hot

regions, crack may develop

• Removal of overburden due to weathering or other processes

can cause expansion and cracking of underlying rocks due to
unloading – resulting in joints
 ORIGIN OF JOINTS
3 principle processes involves
3. Crustal disturbance –
• Associated with folded and faulted rocks clearly related to
crustal disturbance
• Sudden seismic shocks
 ENGINEERING
CONSIDERATIONS
• Joints are always considered as source of weakness of rock
ad pathways for leakage of water
• If joints present in rocks forming foundation of a reservoir or
dam – risk of leakage of water
• In tunnels – slippage of rocks along fractures and leakage of
water may cause troubles
• Solution – lining of tunnels – involves huge extra cost
• Joints – major cause of instability in hilly regions – many
slope failures and landslides are related to jointed nature of
rocks
 ENGINEERING
CONSIDERATIONS
• Treatments of joints – grouting to seal joints and impart
strength – reduces permeability

• Positive effects of joints – ease for exploration of

groundwater, oil and gas reserves, valuable minerals etc.