It is well known the significant influence of the discontinuities in the structural response of geotechnical works, either in the rock mechanics or in the soil mechanics. In order to model the behaviour of discontinuities, a joint finite element with non linear behaviour of the joint and associated plasticity, described in the present work, is implemented in a finite element code.

The discontinuity surface in a bidimensional analysis is modeled by a joint element with six nodes. The mechanical behaviour of the discontinuity is analyzed with the modified Barton law, with a rupture condition that takes the friction angle and the roughness of the surfaces into account. The nonlinear behaviour of the filling material is considered in the model by adding plastic deformations defined with an associated law.

The first numerical example tested is used to compare the model to the experimental results. The second example consists of a dam and the foundation, considering the contact surfaces between the two media and the discontinuities in the rock. The results obtained, in terms of stresses, displacements and opening of the joints are used in the analysis of the stability of the dam.

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