A review of techniques, advances and outstanding issues in numerical modelling for rock mechanics and rock engineering

Numerical methods in rock mechanics

The goal of this review paper is to provide a summary of selected discrete element and hybrid finite–discrete element modeling techniques that have emerged in the field of rock mechanics as simulation tools for fracturing processes in rocks and rock masses. The fundamental principles of each computer code are illustrated with particular emphasis on the approach specifically adopted to simulate fracture nucleation and propagation and to account for the presence of rock mass discontinuities. This description is accompanied by a brief review of application studies focusing on laboratory-scale models of rock failure processes and on the simulation of damage development around underground excavations.

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/14358.pdf

A review of discrete modeling techniques for fracturing processes in discontinuous rock masses

A critical review on idealization and modeling for interaction among soil–foundation–structure system

A physically motivated constitutive law for the behaviour of geologic discontinuities with dilatancy and contact surface degradation (damage) is presented. In the formulation of the law, the paper distinguishes between macroscopic and microscopic features of the contact surface. Through macroscope considerations. an incremental constitutive law is derived which is applicable to a large class of contact-friction problems. By idealizing the microstructure to consist of interlocking asperity surfaces, the constitutive equations are specialized for the description of rock joints including effects such as dilatancy, asperity surface degradation and bulking. Several examples are considered demonstrating the law's behaviour and agreement with experimental data. The incremental form of the equations that are derived are amenable to implementation in numerical procedures such as finite element and discrete element (rigid block) computer programs.

Constitutive models for rock discontinuities with dilatancy and surface degradation

The objective of this paper is to present a method for dynamic stress analysis of saturated soil structures subjected to earthquake loading. The soil is idealized as a fluid saturated porous solid. The coupled equations of motion of the finite element discretized system are solved by a step-by-step integration scheme to determine the motion of the constituent materials along with the intergranular stresses and the pore pressure. Finally, some results of an illustrative example of an earth dam-reservoir system are presented and analyzed.

Finite Element for Rock Joints and Interfaces

A finite element method is presented to analyze the effects of airblast‐induced ground shock on shallow‐buried, flat‐roofed, reinforced concrete structures. A finite element based on Timoshenko beam theory is adopted. Material properties are defined in terms of nonlinear stress‐strain relations in each of several layers through the thickness of the element. Elastic, ideally‐plastic constitutive properties for plain concrete are cast in terms of shear‐stress/normal‐stress variables. Elastic, strain‐hardening constitutive properties are assumed for steel. Dynamic explicit and implicit and static solution algorithms are available. General two‐dimensional structures, such as rings and arches as well as boxes, can be represented. This analysis method is applied to simulation of static beam‐column tests reported by ACI Committee 318‐77. It is then applied to simulation of structural response in FOAM HEST Events 2, 3 and 4 in which shear, flexure and combined shear‐flexure damage was observed. In these post‐test...

R/C Structures Under Impulsive Loading

A field experiment to investigate the response of buried pipelines to lateral offsets and to traveling wave effects is currently being operated at a test site on a trace of the San Andreas Fault in central California. The experiment is located near Parkfield, California, where the U.S. Geological Survey has predicted the recurrence of a moderate earthquake within the next few years. The goal of the experiment is to develop data that can be used to qualify design and analysis methods for pipelines in seismically active areas. Welded steel and ductile iron pipeline segments are buried and instrumented adjacent to an array of survey monuments and strong motion seismographs. Although the predicted moderate earthquake on the Parkfield‐Cholame segment of the San Andreas Fault has not yet occurred, data obtained during low‐intensity shaking from the surface wave phase of the October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake yields valuable insight into pipeline response. Close correlation is found between ground strains induc...

Jeremy Isenberg

Papers

Finite Element for Rock Joints and Interfaces

R/C Structures Under Impulsive Loading

Pipeline Response to Loma Prieta Earthquake

Effects of Lifeline Interaction on Seismic Performance of Communications Networks