Designing Tunnel Support in Jointed Rock Masses Via the DEM

Boon, Chia Weng; Houlsby, G. T.; Utili, Stefano

doi:10.1007/s00603-014-0579-8

Cited by 61 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Likewise, for block generation, a similar novel mathematical framework, which is based on a single-level data structure consisting of block faces only, was used (see Boon, 2013). The algorithms have been recently used to model a circular tunnel in a jointed rock mass in 2D, and the calculated rock bolt and lining forces were found to compare well with elastic solutions (Boon et al, 2014).…”

Section: D and 3d Geological Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New insights into the 1963 Vajont slide using 2D and 3D distinct-element method analyses

Boon¹,

Houlsby²,

Utili³

2014

Géotechnique

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The 1963 Vajont rock slide is studied using the distinct-element method (DEM). Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) DEM models were constructed based on information published in the literature. In this study, a strength reduction approach was used to calculate the slide surface friction angles required for stability. The influence of several parameters was investigated in 2D, namely the reservoir water level, the shear stiffness of the slide surface, the rock mass strength, the rock mass deformability and rock joint patterns. Of the parameters which have been investigated, the most important parameter was found to be the reservoir water level. The rock mass deformability, which is neglected by other investigators, is also found to be important. From the 3D analyses, the failure friction angle was found to be sensitive to the assumptions made on the eastern boundary, and could affect the failure friction angle by approximately 38. The slope was found to exhibit signs of failure beginning from ö slide_surface ¼ 268 before complete loss of resistance at ö slide_surface ¼ 188. It also emerges that, although the eastern end of the slope is the first to exhibit signs of movement, the displacements at the western end of the slope become larger than the ones at the eastern end as the stability of the slope reduces. Finally, this study showcases some useful numerical techniques developed ad hoc for DEM analyses to investigate the stability of large-scale slopes.

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Section: D and 3d Geological Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New insights into the 1963 Vajont slide using 2D and 3D distinct-element method analyses

Boon¹,

Houlsby²,

Utili³

2014

Géotechnique

Self Cite

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“…The series T1-T6 are intact and regular jointed rock blocks according to Bowman et al (2012). TJ1-TJ6 are rock blocks with randomly distributed inclined joints, similar to those employed in Boon et al (2015a).…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamic Fragmentation of Jointed Rock Blocks During Rockslide‐Avalanches: Insights From Discrete Element Analyses

et al. 2018

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The dynamic fragmentation of jointed rock blocks during rockslide avalanches has been investigated by discrete element method simulations for a multiple arrangement of a rock block sliding over a simple slope geometry. The rock blocks are released along an inclined sliding plane and subsequently collide onto a flat horizontal plane at a sharp kink point. The contact force chains generated by the impact appear initially at the bottom frontal corner of the rock block and then propagate radially upward to the top rear part of the block. The jointed rock blocks exhibit evident contact force concentration and discontinuity of force wave propagation near the joint, associating with high energy dissipation of granular dynamics. The corresponding force wave propagation velocity can be less than 200 m/s, which is much smaller than that of an intact rock (1,316 m/s). The concentration of contact forces at the bottom leads to high rock fragmentation intensity and momentum boosts, facilitating the spreading of many fine fragments to the distal ends. However, the upper rock block exhibits very low rock fragmentation intensity but high energy dissipation due to intensive friction and damping, resulting in the deposition of large fragments near the slope toe. The size and shape of large fragments are closely related to the orientation and distribution of the block joints. The cumulative fragment size distribution can be well fitted by the Weibull's distribution function, with very gentle and steep curvatures at the fine and coarse size ranges, respectively. The numerical results of fragment size distribution can match well some experimental and field observations.

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“…To overcome the limitation of the assumption, scholars (Moosavi and Grayeli, 2006;Li et al, 2013;Nie et al, 2014) have presented several algorithms of the rock bolt in the DDA method, such as the fully grouted cable bolt and the D-bolt. In fact, ignoring the shear component is a conservative assumption because larger displacements of the blocks are thereby obtained (Boon et al, 2015). Thus, the existing algorithm of the rock bolt is sufficient to simulate the construction of the underground cavern complex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigations of the sequential excavation and reinforcement of an underground cavern complex using the discontinuous deformation analysis method

Sheng

Zhang

et al. 2015

Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology

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Designing Tunnel Support in Jointed Rock Masses Via the DEM

Cited by 61 publications

References 58 publications

New insights into the 1963 Vajont slide using 2D and 3D distinct-element method analyses

New insights into the 1963 Vajont slide using 2D and 3D distinct-element method analyses

Dynamic Fragmentation of Jointed Rock Blocks During Rockslide‐Avalanches: Insights From Discrete Element Analyses

Investigations of the sequential excavation and reinforcement of an underground cavern complex using the discontinuous deformation analysis method

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