• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.57-65
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• 2011

Numerical simulations by three-dimensional Particle Flow Code($PFC^{3D}$, Itasca) considering distinct element method (DEM) were carried out for prediction of triaxial compression test with sand material. The effect of scale conditions for numerical model and distinct material on final prediction results was analyzed by numerical models under various scale conditions, and following observations were made from the numerical experiments. It is very useful to model the initial material condition without any porosity conversion from 2-D to 3-D DEM. Numerical experiments have shown that in all cases considered, 3D distinct element modeling could provide good agreement on stress-strain behavior, volume change and strength properties with laboratory testing results. It was important thing to assess reasonable scale ratio of numerical model and distinct elements for saving calculation time and securing calculation efficiency under condition with accuracy and appropriateness as numerical laboratory. As results of DEM simulations under various scale conditions, most of results show that shear strength properties as cohesion and internal friction angle are similar in condition of $D_{mod}/D_{gmax}$ < 10. It shows that 3-D distinct element method could be used as efficient tool to assess strength properties by numerical laboratory technique.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.14-21
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• 2019

Distinct element method is a powerful numerical tool for modelling the jointed rock masses. It is also a useful tool for modelling of later stage of blasting requiring large displacement. The distinct element method utilizes a rigid block idea in which the interacting force between distinct elements is calculated from contact displacement as elements penetrate slightly. The properties of joints defined as the boundaries of distinct elements are critical parameters to determine the block behavior, and affect the deformation and failure mode. However, regardless of real joint properties, joint stiffnesses have sometimes been selected without special concern just to prevent elements from penetrating too far into each other in some quasi-static problems. Depending on whether the main interest in the analysis is the prediction of the deformation with high precision, or the prediction of the block behaviour after failure, the input data such as joint stiffness may or may not have a significant effect on the results. The purpose of this study is to provide a sound understanding of the effect of the joint stiffness on the distinct element analysis results, and to help guide the selection of input data.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.81-93
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• 1992

Numerical modeling of problems having infinite and semi-infinite boundaries is studied using a coupled method of distinct elements and boundary elements. The regions which are restricted on stress concentration area of loading points, excavation surface, and geometric discontinuity in the underground structures, are modeled using distinct elements, while the infinite and semi-infinite regions are modeled using linear boundary elements. Linear boundary elements for infinite and semi-infinite region are respectively composed using the Kelvin's and the Melan's solution, respectively. For the completeness, the boundary element method, the distinct element, and the coupled method of distinct elements and boundary elements are studied independently. The coupled method is verified and is applied to underground structures of infinite and semi-infinite regions. Through the comparison of the results, it is concluded that the coupled analysis may be used for discontinuous underground structures in the effective manner.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.111-120
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• 2006

In this research, numerical simulations by PFC considering discrete element method are conducted to predict experimental results of large triaxial compression test with rockfill material for dam construction. For generation of compacted assembly with specific grain size distribution and initial material porosity, the clump logic method and expansion of generated particles are adapted. To predict stress-stain behavior of large triaxial test, discrete particle modelling is applied with micro parameters which are chosen by calibration process. It is expected that distinct particle modelling method could be used as a useful tool to investigate micro and macro behavior associated with geotechnical problems and develop a numerical laboratory.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2001

The quantitative evaluation of the stereo graphic projection, the limit equilibrium analysis, the finite difference analysis, the distinct element methocI is a analytical evaluation using many variables. Through the reliability analysis by the point estimation technique, uncertainty of other variables that have an effect on the stability of the rock slo~ was considered. The organized evaluation method of the approximate reasoning concept and using a fuzzy language was developed to confer and analysis the failure factors in planning and constructing the rock slope. Considering the result of the an- alysis, it was demonstrated that stability of entire sections can be evaluated through reliability analysis of point estimation technique. The results of stability evaluation by Fuzzy Approximate Reasoning is generally identical with the results of other existirw; analyses. As mentioned above, general and organized evaluation of special qualities of rock slope is possible using RMR Classification, Stereo Graphic Projection, Limit Equilibriwn Analysis, Finite Difference Analysis, Distinct Element Method, Point Estimation Technique, and Fuzzy Approximate Reasoning.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1998.05a
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• pp.35-81
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• 1998

Distinct Element Method(DEM) has a great advantage to model the discontinuous behaviour of jointed rock masses such as rotation, sliding, and separation of rock blocks. Geometrical data of joints by a field monitoring is not enough to model the jointed rock mass though the results of DE analysis for the jointed rock mass is most sensitive to the distributional properties of joints. Also, it is important to use a properly joint law in evaluating the stability of a jointed rock mass because the joint is considered as the contact between blocks in DEM. In this study, a stochastic modelling technique is developed and the dilatant rock joint is numerically modelled in order to consider th geometrical and mechanical properties of joints in DE analysis. The stochastic modelling technique provides a assemblage of rock blocks by reproducing the joint distribution from insufficient joint data. Numerical Modelling of joint dilatancy in a edge-edge contact of DEM enable to consider not only mechanical properties but also various boundary conditions of joint. Preprocess Procedure for a stochastic DE model is composed of a statistical process of raw data of joints, a joint generation, and a block boundary generation. This stochastic DE model is used to analyze the effect of deviations of geometrical joint parameters on .the behaviour of jointed rock masses. This modelling method may be one tool for the consistency of DE analysis because it keeps the objectivity of the numerical model. In the joint constitutive law with a dilatancy, the normal and shear behaviour of a joint are fully coupled due to dilatation. It is easy to quantify the input Parameters used in the joint law from laboratory tests. The boundary effect on the behaviour of a joint is verified from shear tests under CNL and CNS using the numerical model of a single joint. The numerical model developed is applied to jointed rock masses to evaluate the effect of joint dilation on tunnel stability.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.215-219
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• 2010

The evaluation of the mechanical properties and behavior is very important for the design of embankment using granular materials. In this research, the lab. tests with Nak-dong river sand were conducted to find out mechanical properties related to stress-strain behavior. Also, numerical simulations which can express the behavior of granular material were conducted by distinct element method. Distinct element method can play a import role to predict stress-strain behavior for different confining stress and loading condition if micro-parameters can be estimated in specific condition.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.484-495
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• 2020

To numerically simulate the advance of EPB TBM, various type of numerical analysis methods have been adopted including discrete element method (DEM), finite element method (FEM), and finite difference method (FDM). In this paper, an EPB TBM driving model was proposed by using coupled DEM-FDM. In the numerical model, DEM was applied in the TBM excavation area, and contact properties of particles were calibrated by a series of triaxial tests. Since the ground around the excavation area was coupled with FDM, the horizontal stress considering the coefficient of earth pressure at rest could be applied. Also, the number of required particles was reduced and the efficiency of the analysis was increased. The proposed model can control the advance rate and rotational speed of the cutter head and screw conveyor, and derive the torque, thrust force, chamber pressure, and discharging during TBM tunnelling.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2000.09a
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• pp.163-170
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• 2000

The distinct element method has been effectively applied to the analysis of stability and behavior of jointed rock masses. In this paper the modelling characteristics of different types of distinct element model were investigated. Arch tunnel examples were chosen to compare the calculation results of two computer codes, NURBM and CBLOCK, where the former is based on implicit algorithm, and the other on explicit one. CBLOCK calculations show that joint properties are very important parameters in the stability analysis and that the joint stiffness ratio associated with joint configuration could be used as an indicator, whereas NURBM differ from that. Some other disagreements were also identified.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.410-417
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• 2000

The distinct element method has been effectively applied to the analysis of stability and behavior of jointed rock masses. In this paper the modelling characteristics of different types of distinct element model were investigated. Arch tunnel examples were chosen to compare the calculation results of two computer codes, NURBM and CBLOCK, where the former is based on implicit algorithm, and the other on explicit one. CBLOCK calculations show that joint properties are very important parameters in the stability analysis and that the joint stiffness ratio associated with joint configuration could be used as an indicator, whereas NURBM differ from that. Some other disagreements were also identified.