• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2012

Many researches on disaster prevention using computer simulation methods can be performed to minimize the damage of property and to protect human life. Discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) is a new computer simulation method to analyze the behavior of discontinuous rock masses. Since most rock slope problems are 3-dimensional in nature, 2-dimensional deformation analysis has limited application. In this study, the basic principles of 3-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis are described. The newly developed 3-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis method is proposed as the computer simulation method for discontinuous rock masses. Then, the failure behavior of rock slopes are simulated using 3-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis. The simulation results are compared and examined with the failure behavior at the rock slopes. The results show the applicability of 3-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis to analyze the deformation and failure mechanisms of rock slopes.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.325-336
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• 2018

Deformation of rock masses is not only related to rock itself, but also related to discontinuities, the latter maybe greater. Study on crack propagation at discontinuities is important to reveal the damage law of rock masses. DDARF is a discontinuous deformation analysis method for rock failure and some modified algorithms are proposed in this study. Firstly, coupled modeling methods of AutoCAD-DDARF and ANSYS-DDARF are introduced, which could improve the modeling efficiency of DDARF compared to its original program. Secondly, a convergence criterion for automatically judging the computation equilibrium is established, it could overcome subjective drawbacks of ending one calculation by time steps. Lastly but not the least, relationship between the super relaxation factor and the calculation convergence is analyzed, and reasonable value range of the super relaxation factor is obtained. Based on these above modified programs, influences on crack propagation of joint angle, joint parameters and geo-stresses' side pressure are studied.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.787-803
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• 2016

DDARF (Discontinuous Deformation Analysis for Rock Failure) is a numerical algorithm for simulating jointed rock masses' discontinuous deformation. While its reinforcement simulation is only limited to end-anchorage bolt, which is assumed to be a linear spring simply. Here, several new reinforcement modes in DDARF are proposed, including lining reinforcement, full-length anchorage bolt and equivalent reinforcement. In the numerical simulation, lining part is assigned higher mechanical strength than surrounding rock masses, it may include multiple virtual joints or not, depending on projects. There must be no embedding or stretching between lining blocks and surrounding blocks. To realize simulation of the full-length anchorage bolt, at every discontinuity passed through the bolt, a set of normal and tangential spring needs to be added along the bolt's axial and tangential direction. Thus, bolt's axial force, shearing force and full-length anchorage effect are all realized synchronously. And, failure criterions of anchorage effect are established for different failure modes. In the meantime, from the perspective of improving surrounding rock masses' overall strength, a new equivalent and tentative simulation method is proposed, it can save calculation storage and improve efficiency. Along the text, simulation algorithms and applications of these new reinforcement modes in DDARF are given.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.723-738
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• 2017

Rock is a heterogeneous material, which introduces complexity in the analysis of rock slopes, since both the existing discontinuities within the rock mass and the intact rock contribute to the degradation of strength. Rock failure is often catastrophic due to the brittle nature of the material, involving the sliding along structural planes and the fracturing of rock bridge. This paper proposes an advanced discretization method of rock mass based on block theory. An in-house software, GeoSMA-3D, has been developed to generate the discrete fracture network (DFN) model, considering both measured and artificial joints. Measured joints are obtained from the photogrammetry analysis on the excavation face. Statistical tools then facilitate to derive artificial joints within the rock mass. Key blocks are searched to provide guidance on potential reinforcement measures. The discretized blocky system is subsequently implemented into a discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) code. Strength reduction technique is employed to analyze the stability of the slope, where the factor of safety can be obtained once excessive deformation of slope profile is observed. The combined analysis approach also provides the failure mode, which can be used to guide the choice of strengthening strategy if needed. Finally, an illustrated example is presented for the analysis of a rock slope of 20 m height inclined at $60^{\circ}$ using combined GeoSMA-3D and DDA calculation.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.257-268
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• 2005

In situ rock mass is generally heterogeneous and discontinuous, with varying degrees of strength along the planes of weakness. The planes of weakness such as joints, faults, cracks and bedding planes, control the strength and deformation characteristics of the rock mass. Subsequently, the stability of underground opening depends upon the spatial distribution of discontinuities and their mechanical properties in relation with geometrical shape of openins as well as the mechanical properties of intact rock materials. Understanding the behaviour of a discontinuous rock mass remains a key issue for improving excavation design in hiかy stressed environments. Although recent advances in rock mechanics have provided guidelines for the design of underground opening in isotropic rock mass, prediction and control of deformation in discontinuous rock masses are still unclear. In this study, parametric study was performed to investigate the plastic zone size, stress distribution and deformation behavior around underground opening in a discontinuous rock mass using a continuum joint model. The solutions were obtained by an elasto-plastic finite difference analysis, employing the Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria. Non-associated flow rule and perfectly plastic material behavior are also assumed.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.457-469
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• 2016

Steep rock slope with water-filled tension crack will happen to overturn around the toe of the slope under seismic loading. This failure type is completely different from the common toppling failure occurring in anti-dipping layered rock mass slopes with steeply dipping discontinuities. This paper presents an analytical approach to determine the seismic factor of safety against overturning for an intact rock mass slope with water-filled tension crack considering horizontal and vertical seismic coefficients. This solution is a generalized explicit expression and is derived using the moment equilibrium approach. A numerical program based on discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) is adopted to validate the analytical results. The parametric study is carried out to adequately investigate the effect of horizontal and vertical seismic coefficients on the overall stability against overturning for a saturated rock slope under two water pressure modes. The analytical results show that vertically upward seismic inertia force or/and second water pressure distribution mode will remarkably decrease the slope stability against overturning. Finally, several representative design charts of slopes also are presented for the practical application.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.791-801
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• 2014

The effects of anchor on fractured specimens in splitting test are simulated by DDARF method, the results of which are compared with laboratory test results. They agree well with each other. The paper contents also use the laboratory model test. The main research objects are three kinds of specimens, namely intact specimens, jointed specimens and anchored-jointed specimens. The results showed that with the joint angle increased, the weakening effects of jointed rock mass are more obvious. At these points, the rock bolts' strengthening effects on the specimens have become more significant. There is a significant impact on the failure modes of rock mass by the joint and the anchorage.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.271-281
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• 2018

A jointed rock slope stability evaluation was simulated by a discontinuous deformation analysis numerical method to investigate the process and safety factors for different crack distributions and different overloading situations. An optimized method using Discontinuous Deformation Analysis for Rock Failure (DDARF) is presented to perform numerical investigations on the jointed rock slope stability evaluation of the Dagangshan hydropower station. During the pre-processing of establishing the numerical model, an integrated software system including AutoCAD, Screen Capture, and Excel is adopted to facilitate the implementation of the numerical model with random joint network. These optimizations during the pre-processing stage of DDARF can remarkably improve the simulation efficiency, making it possible for complex model calculation. In the numerical investigations on the jointed rock slope stability evaluations using the optimized DDARF, three calculation schemes have been taken into account in the numerical model: (I) no joint; (II) two sets of regular parallel joints; and (III) multiple sets of random joints. This model is capable of replicating the entire processes including crack initiation, propagation, formation of shear zones, and local failures, and thus is able to provide constructive suggestions to supporting schemes for the slope. Meanwhile, the overloading numerical simulations under the same three schemes have also been performed. Overloading safety factors of the three schemes are 5.68, 2.42 and 1.39, respectively, which are obtained by analyzing the displacement evolutions of key monitoring points during overloading.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.489-504
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• 2017

The localized shear and the slip lines are easily observed in elastic-brittle-plastic rock. After yielding, the strength of the brittle rock suddenly drops from the peak value to the residual value, and there are slip lines which divide the macro rock into numbers of elements. There are slippages of elements along the slip lines and the displacement field in the plastic region is discontinuous. With some restraints, the discontinuities can be described by the combination of two smooth functions, one is for the meaning of averaging the original function, and the other is for characterizing the breaks of the original function. The slip lines around the circular opening in the plastic region of an isotropic H-B rock which subjected to a hydrostatic in situ stress can be described by the logarithmic spirals. After failure, the deformation mechanism of the plastic region is mainly attributed to the slippage, and a slippage parameter is introduced. A new analytical solution is presented for the plane strain analysis of displacements around circular openings. The displacements obtained by using the new solution are found to be well coincide with the exact solutions from the published sources.