Estimation of the REV size for blockiness of fractured rock masses

Xia, Lu; Zheng, Yinhe; Yu, Qingchun

doi:10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.02.016

Cited by 53 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Based on Tables 2 and 3, 35 types of hypothetical three-dimensional joint network models were constructed, as shown in Figure 3. It is noteworthy that the sizes of all models arrive at the geometrical representative elementary volume of rock mass [23].…”

Section: Development Of 35 Three-dimensional Joint Network Models Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selection of Optimal Threshold of Generalised Rock Quality Designation Based on Modified Blockiness Index

Chen

Yin

Jia

2019

Advances in Civil Engineering

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Rock quality designation (RQD) is a critical index for quantifying the degree of rock mass jointing; it is widely used for evaluating the qualities and stabilities of engineering rock masses. However, the use of traditional RQD may yield inaccurate assessments because only core pieces longer than 100 mm are counted. To enhance the utility of RQD, generalised RQD was introduced. Based on the modified blockiness index (MBi), the determination of the optimal threshold of generalised RQD was performed. In this work, 35 types of hypothetical three-dimensional joint network models were constructed, and their generalised RQD values (with different thresholds) and MBi values were measured. The correlation between the standard ratings of MBi and RQD was assessed; based on this correlation, the theoretical RQD values of the 35 models were derived. The reasonable thresholds of the generalised RQD were determined according to the theoretical RQD values, and the optimal threshold of generalised RQD was obtained using the variation coefficient and anisotropy index of the jointing degree. The discrepancy between the results produced using traditional and generalised RQDs was discussed. Finally, an actual case study was conducted, and the results indicate that the generalised RQD associated with the optimal threshold determined in this study can properly quantify the degree of jointing of a given rock mass.

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Section: Development Of 35 Three-dimensional Joint Network Models Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selection of Optimal Threshold of Generalised Rock Quality Designation Based on Modified Blockiness Index

Chen

Yin

Jia

2019

Advances in Civil Engineering

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“…The concepts involved in the element block–assembling approach are relatively simple, and the operations on convex blocks facilitate robust programs. In recent years, this approach has been extensively developed and applied to various practical projects …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent years, this approach has been extensively developed and applied to various practical projects. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] In the element block-assembling approach, the element blocks are constructed by temporarily extended fractures and therefore may preserve fictitious boundary surfaces that do not physically exist. As shown in Figure 1, two complex-blocks B 1 and B 2 are identified using the element block-assembling approach.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Constructing boundary structures of rock blocks

Zheng

Xia

2019

Num Anal Meth Geomechanics

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Summary Determining rock‐block structures is important for modeling jointed rock masses. This paper presents a method to construct the boundary structures of complex blocks by eliminating fictitious surfaces. The planes involved in forming a complex block are retrieved, and the boundary polygons on each plane are determined using a series of Boolean operations. A regulation method is used to adjust the resulting polygons so that the regulated outer boundary structures can be used directly in the contact‐detection algorithms. The interior fracture boundaries that are not explicitly associated with the formation of blocks are also constructed. These boundary surfaces are valued in hydraulic models to provide conductive channels of fluids in rock masses. The proposed method extends previous developments on block‐identification algorithms, and the constructed boundary structures can be used directly in the modeling process of most discrete models. The program implemented based on this method has been used to study the stability and morphology of blocks in the Three Gorges Project, and several examples are given to further demonstrate the ability and performance of the proposed method.

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“…The REV is defined in two situations on (1) unit cell in a periodic microstructure and (2) volume containing a very large set of microscale elements, possessing statistically homogeneous properties. The REV has been discussed by many authors [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The REV of a fractured rock mass is the smallest volume in during the study of parameter when the hydraulic conductivity is a constant value.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining the REV for Fracture Rock Mass Based on Seepage Theory

Zhang

Xia

2017

Geofluids

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Seepage problems of the fractured rock mass have always been a heated topic within hydrogeology and engineering geology. The equivalent porous medium model method is the main method in the study of the seepage of the fractured rock mass and its engineering application. The key to the method is to determine a representative elementary volume (REV). The FractureToKarst software, that is, discrete element software, is a main analysis tool in this paper and developed by a number of authors. According to the standard of rock classification established by ISRM, this paper aims to discuss the existence and the size of REV of fractured rock masses with medium tractility and provide a general method to determine the existence of REV. It can be gleaned from the study that the existence condition of fractured rock mass with medium tractility features average fracture spacing smaller than 0.6 m. If average fracture spacing is larger than 0.6 m, there is no existence of REV. The rationality of the model is verified by a case study. The present research provides a method for the simulation of seepage field in fissured rocks.

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Estimation of the REV size for blockiness of fractured rock masses

Cited by 53 publications

References 47 publications

Selection of Optimal Threshold of Generalised Rock Quality Designation Based on Modified Blockiness Index

Selection of Optimal Threshold of Generalised Rock Quality Designation Based on Modified Blockiness Index

Constructing boundary structures of rock blocks

Determining the REV for Fracture Rock Mass Based on Seepage Theory

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