Distinct element method investigation on mechanical behavior within shear bands in granulates under the Earth and the Moon conditions

This letter mainly aims to investigate the mechanical behavior within shear bands in regolith both under the Earth and the Moon conditions via the distinct element method, in which a novel contact model considering interparticle van der Waals forces and rolling resistance is employed. The results show that for regolith under both conditions the stress paths are almost identical inside and outside the shear bands but void ratio, average pure rotation rate, and strain paths are rather distinct with dilation, particle rotation and the second invariant of strain tensor mainly occurring within the bands. However, the regolith under the Moon condition has higher peak strength and more significant strain localization than those under the Earth condition.

Investigating Earth Reaction to Pull-Out Process of Frictional Rock Bolts Using Distinct Element Method

The reaction of earth to pull-out process of frictional rock bolts was here modeled by the distinct element method (DEM). Ten frictional bolts were prepared;the expanding shells of five bolts included convex edges and the others had the shells with concave bits. The strength of bolts was measured by applying a standard pull-out test;the results confirmed that the strength of shells with convex edges was remarkably more than the strength of other shells. Furthermore, a two-dimensional DEM model of the test was developed by a particle flow code;the obtained results showed that the reaction of rock particles to the contacts occurring between the convex edges and earth was considerably more than those of the concave bits. In the other words, the convex edges transferred the pull-out force into a large area of the surrounded rock, causing these bolts to have the highest resistance against earth movements.

AN ESTIMATION OF FUZZY RELIABILITY OF DISTINCT ELEMENT METHOD IN PREDICTION OF SURFACE SUBSIDENCE DUE TO COAL MINING

The quantitative evaluation of errors involved in a particular numerical modelling is of prime importance for the effectiveness and reliability of the method. Errors in Distinct Element Modelling are generated mainly through three resources as simplification of physical model, determination of parameters and boundary conditions. A measure of errors which represent the degree of numerical solution 'close to true value' is proposed through fuzzy probability in this paper. The main objective of this paper is to estimate the reliability of Distinct Element Method in rock engineering practice by varying the parameters and boundary conditions. The accumulation laws of standard errors induced by improper determination of parameters and boundary conditions are discussed in delails. Furthermore, numerical experiments are given to illustrate the estimation of fuzzy reliability. Example shows that fuzzy reliability falls between 75%-98% when the relative standard errors of input data is under 10 %.

Modelling of URM Walls Retrofitted with Cable: A Comparison Between a Basic Mechanical Model and Distinct Element Method

The Australian love of 'heritage' buildings (most of them are unreinforced masonry (URM)) means that greater attention is required to secure their performance under seismic or impact loading in the future. A research project has been carried out to develop a new, economic and high strength retrofitting technique for masonry structures. A series of experimental testing on URM walls retrofitted with an innovative technique by cable system have been conducted. In this paper, an analytical model which is based on distinct element method (DEM) is developed to simulate the behaviour of retrofitted walls. In DEM, a solid is represented as an assembly of discrete blocks. Joints are modelled as interface between distinct bodies. It is a dynamic process and specially designed to model the behaviour of discontinuities. In order to assist the practising engineers to design this new retrofitted wall system, a simple mechanical model was also developed to predict the strength of the retrofitted walls. The results obtained from this simple mechanical model are compared with those from both experiments and distinct element model.

Modeling and Simulation of Particle-Packing Structures and Their Stability Using the Distinct Element Method

A numerical method for simulating the stability of particle-packing structures is presented. The packing structures were modeled on the basis of face-centered cubic (fcc) and body-centered cubic (bcc) structures, and the stability of these structures was investigated using the distinct element method. The interaction between the particles was simplified by considering repulsive, adhesive, and damping forces, and the stability against the gravitational force was simulated. The results under a certain set of parameters showed characteristic deformation when the particles were arranged in an fcc array. Focusing on the local structure, the resulting model was divided into several domains: The bottom base, four top corners, and intermediate domains. The bottom base notably became a body-centered tetragonal (bct) structure, which corresponds to a uniaxially compressed bcc structure. Conversely, the models based on the bcc arrangement were structurally stable, as no specific deformation was observed, and a monotonously compressed bct structure was obtained. Consequently, the bcc arrangement is concluded to be more stable against uniaxial compression, such as the gravitational force, in a particle-packing system.

Distinct element method analysis and field experiment of soil resistance applied on the subsoiler

Since the design of the subsoiler is a complex work,the interaction between the subsoiler and soil was investigated by using Distinct Element Method(DEM)in this study.Based on the traditional discrete element theory,the 3D model of soil particles and the subsoiler were established after considering the liquid bridge force between soil particles.The operating resistance curves of the subsoiler were achieved after the DEM simulation at a speed of 1 m/s,and three depths of 180 mm,220 mm and 260 mm,respectively.The simulation curves agreed well with the field experimental results based on relative errors of 2.96%,14.95%and 7.15%,respectively,at three depths.All these data proved that it was feasible and favorable to analyze the performance of the subsoiler by using the DEM and it is of important significance for studying and further optimizing the structure of the subsoiler.

Application of the expanded distinct element method for the study of crack growth in rock-like materials under uniaxial compression

The expanded distinct element method(EDEM)was used to investigate the crack growth in rock-like materials under uniaxial compression.The tensile-shear failure criterion and the Griffith failure criterion were implanted into the EDEM to determine the initiation and propagation of pre-existing cracks,respectively.Uniaxial compression experiments were also performed with the artificial rock-like samples to verify the validity of the EDEM.Simulation results indicated that the EDEM model with the tensile-shear failure criterion has strong capabilities for modeling the growth of pre-existing cracks,and model results have strong agreement with the failure and mechanical properties of experimental samples.The EDEM model with the Griffith failure criterion can only simulate the splitting failure of samples due to tensile stresses and is incapable of providing a comprehensive interpretation for the overall failure of rock masses.Research results demonstrated that sample failure primarily resulted from the growth of single cracks(in the form of tensile wing cracks and shear secondary cracks)and the coalescence of two cracks due to the growth of wing cracks in the rock bridge zone.Additionally,the inclination angle of the pre-existing crack clearly influences the final failure pattern of the samples.

Strain localization analyses of idealized sands in biaxial tests by distinct element method

This paper presents a numerical investigation on the strain localization of an idealized sand in biaxial compression tests using the distinct element method(DEM).In addition to the dilatancy and material frictional angle,the principal stress field,and distributions of void ratio,particle velocity,and the averaged pure rotation rate(APR)in the DEM specimen are examined to illustrate the link between microscopic and macroscopic variables in the case of strain localization.The study shows that strain localization of the granular material in the tests proceeds with localizations of void ratio,strain and APR,and distortions of stress field and force chains.In addition,both thickness and inclination of the shear band change with the increasing of axial swain,with the former valued around 10-14 times of mean grain diameter and the later overall described by the Mohr-Coulomb theory.

Distinct element modelling of fracture plan control in continuum and jointed rock mass in presplitting method of surface mining

Controlled blasting techniques are used to control overbreak and to aid in the stability of the remaining rock formation. Presplitting is one of the most common methods which is used in many open pit mining and surface blast design. The purpose of presplitting is to form a fracture plane across which the radial cracks from the production blast cannot travel. The purpose of this study is to investigate of effect of presplitting on the generation of a smooth wall in continuum and jointed rock mass. The 2D distinct element code was used to simulate the presplitting in a rock slope. The blast load history as a function of time was applied to the inner wall of each blasthole. Important parameters that were considered in the analysis were stress tensor and fracturing pattern. The blast loading magnitude and blasthole spacing and jointing pattern were found to be very significant in the final results.

Three-dimensional distinct element modeling of fault reactivation and induced seismicity due to hydraulic fracturing injection and backflow

This paper presents a three-dimensional fully hydro-mechanical coupled distinct element study on fault reactivation and induced seismicity due to hydraulic fracturing injection and subsequent backflow process,based on the geological data in Horn River Basin,Northeast British Columbia,Canada.The modeling results indicate that the maximum magnitude of seismic events appears at the fracturing stage.The increment of fluid volume in the fault determines the cumulative moment and maximum fault slippage,both of which are essentially proportional to the fluid volume.After backflow starts,the fluid near the joint intersection keeps flowing into the critically stressed fault,rather than backflows to the wellbore.Although fault slippage is affected by the changes of both pore pressure and ambient rock stress,their contributions are different at fracturing and backflow stages.At fracturing stage,pore pressure change shows a dominant effect on induced fault slippage.While at backflow stage,because the fault plane is under a critical stress state,any minor disturbance would trigger a fault slippage.The energy analysis indicates that aseismic deformation takes up a majority of the total deformation energy during hydraulic fracturing.A common regularity is found in both fracturing-and backflow-induced seismicity that the cumulative moment and maximum fault slippage are nearly proportional to the injected fluid volume.This study shows some novel insights into interpreting fracturing-and backflowinduced seismicity,and provides useful information for controlling and mitigating seismic hazards due to hydraulic fracturing.

Distinct Element Modelling of Unreinforced Masonry Wall Under Seismic Loads with and without Cable Retrofitting

To retrofit and strengthen existing unreinforced masonry (URM) structures to resist the potential earthquake damages has become an important issue in Australia. In order to secure the performance of URM under seismic loading in the future, a research project was carried out aimed at developing a simple and high strength seismic retrofitting technique for masonry structures. A series of experimental testing on URM walls retrofitted with an innovative technique by cable system have been conducted. The results indicated that both the strength and ductility of the tested speci-mens were significantly enhanced with the technique. An analytical model which is based on Dis-tinct Element Method (DEM) has also been developed to simulate the behaviour of URM walls be-fore and after retrofitting. The model is then further developed by applying a seismic wave to the wall to simulate the wall behavior under earthquake loads before and after retrofitting.

Distinct Element Modelling of Mahabaleshwar Road Cut Hill Slope

Reliable estimates of slope stability are essential for safe design and planning of road cut hill slopes which accommo-date a number of tourist destinations around the world. The failure of cut slopes along these hills puts human life in grave danger and it is also disastrous for the economy. In the present study, a section of 100 m high jointed basalt hill slope has been analyzed numerically in a distinct element code, which is apt for simulating the behavior for jointed rock. The analysis was carried out for both the dry and saturated conditions. The distinct element analysis of the hill slope demonstrates it to be marginally stable under dry condition, while for the saturated condition, the hill slope fails along well defined joint planes.

Borehole stability in naturally fractured rocks with drilling mud intrusion and associated fracture strength weakening:A coupled DFN-DEM approach

Borehole instability in naturally fractured rocks poses significant challenges to drilling.Drilling mud invades the surrounding formations through natural fractures under the difference between the wellbore pressure(P w)and pore pressure(P p)during drilling,which may cause wellbore instability.However,the weakening of fracture strength due to mud intrusion is not considered in most existing borehole stability analyses,which may yield significant errors and misleading predictions.In addition,only limited factors were analyzed,and the fracture distribution was oversimplified.In this paper,the impacts of mud intrusion and associated fracture strength weakening on borehole stability in fractured rocks under both isotropic and anisotropic stress states are investigated using a coupled DEM(distinct element method)and DFN(discrete fracture network)method.It provides estimates of the effect of fracture strength weakening,wellbore pressure,in situ stresses,and sealing efficiency on borehole stability.The results show that mud intrusion and weakening of fracture strength can damage the borehole.This is demonstrated by the large displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on natural fractures,and the generation of fracture at shear limit.Mud intrusion reduces the shear strength of the fracture surface and leads to shear failure,which explains that the increase in mud weight may worsen borehole stability during overbalanced drilling in fractured formations.A higher in situ stress anisotropy exerts a significant influence on the mechanism of shear failure distribution around the wellbore.Moreover,the effect of sealing natural fractures on maintaining borehole stability is verified in this study,and the increase in sealing efficiency reduces the radial invasion distance of drilling mud.This study provides a directly quantitative prediction method of borehole instability in naturally fractured formations,which can consider the discrete fracture network,mud intrusion,and associated weakening of fracture strength.The information provided by the numerical approach(e.g.displacement around the borehole,shear displacement on fracture,and fracture at shear limit)is helpful for managing wellbore stability and designing wellbore-strengthening operations.

块裂隧道围岩等效岩体变形参数研究

采用Voronoi离散单元方法建立块裂岩体隧道的随机DEM数值模型,通过大量随机数值计算结果验证采用岩体等效变形参数预测隧道收敛变形的可行性。在规则裂隙岩体等效变形参数计算方法的基础上,针对数值模拟揭示的深埋隧道变形特征提出改进的修正计算公式及相应的特征参数。通过与既有解答以及大量随机数值计算结果的对比和统计分析验证修正解的合理性,修正解较为合理改善既有规则裂隙岩体等效变形参数计算方法在反映随机块裂岩体在隧道卸荷条件下变形估算的较大误差。采用修正计算方法得到的岩体等效变形参数可以很好地预测随机块裂岩体中隧道开挖后收敛变形的数学期望值。提出的修正计算方法对当前深部岩体变形参数研究和隧道洞壁收敛位移的估算具有一定的参考价值。

基于PFC^(3D)的膨胀岩湿胀变形研究

为研究不同过程含水率下膨胀岩的湿胀变形特性,以侧限无荷载膨胀试验和双电层理论为依据,通过PFC^(3D)软件建立计算模型,对万州地区的膨胀岩地基进行研究.结果表明:数值模拟与室内试验结果吻合较好,整个湿胀变形过程按时程特征可划分为变加速“蠕变”、匀变速上升和变减速“蠕变”3个阶段;增大膨胀岩内部的含水率后,首先会引起其内部黏土矿物颗粒的膨胀,当颗粒膨胀累计到一定阶段时会导致宏观层面上的湿胀变形;湿胀变形与湿胀变形速率的关系本质上反映的是膨胀应变与膨胀应力之间的“应力-应变”本构;膨胀岩湿胀变形速率与细胞吸水膨胀速率相似,即随内部含水率的增大而呈现“Λ”字形的变化趋势;K_(0)应力状态下的侧限膨胀试验不能充分释放膨胀岩的膨胀潜势,因此后期需要三轴应力状态下的膨胀试验来进行进一步研究.

降压开采条件下胶结型深海能源土力学特性离散元模拟

降压开采会造成影响深海能源土宏观力学特性发生显著变化,而胶结型是天然气水合物赋存于深海能源土储层的主要类型,因此降压开采条件下胶结型深海能源土力学特性研究对于提高天然气水合物开采效率,预防海洋灾害具有重要意义。研究了胶结型深海能源土降压开采时的胶结和损伤影响,构建了三维离散元(Discrete Element Method,DEM)数值模型,并分析了围压、饱和度和损伤对于降压开采条件下胶结型深海能源土力学性能影响。研究结论对于深海能源土储层中天然气水合物开采研究具有较好的借鉴意义。

Effects of intermediate stress on deep rock strainbursts under true triaxial stresses

The effect of intermediate stress(in situ tunnel axial)on a strainburst is studied with a threedimensional(3D)bonded block distinct element method(DEM).A series of simulations of strainbursts under true triaxial in situ stress conditions(i.e.high tangential stress,moderate intermediate stress and low radial stress)of near-boundary rock masses are performed.Compared with the experimental results,the DEM model is able to capture the stress-strain response,failure pattern and energy balance of strainbursts.The fracturing processes of strainbursts are also numerically reproduced.Numerical results show that,as the intermediate stress increases:(1)The peak strain of strainbursts increases,the yield stress increases,the rock strength increases linearly,and the ratio of yield stress to rock strength decreases,indicating that the precursory information on strainbursts is enhanced;(2)Tensile and shear cracks increase significantly,and slabbing and bending of rock plates are more pronounced;and(3)The stored elastic strain energy and dissipated energy increase linearly,whereas the kinetic energy of the ejected rock fragments increases approximately exponentially,implying an increase in strainburst intensity.By comparing the experimental and numerical results,the effect of intermediate stress on the rock strength of strainbursts is discussed in order to address three key issues.Then,the Mogi criterion is applied to construct new strength criteria for strainbursts by converting the one-face free true triaxial stress state of a strainburst to its equivalent true triaxial stress state.In summary,the effect of intermediate stress on strainbursts is a double-edged sword that can enhance the rock strength and the precursory information of a strainburst,but also increase its intensity.

Automatic identification of rock discontinuity and stability analysis of tunnel rock blocks using terrestrial laser scanning

Local geometric information and discontinuity features are key aspects of the analysis of the evolution and failure mechanisms of unstable rock blocks in rock tunnels.This study demonstrates the integration of terrestrial laser scanning(TLS)with distinct element method for rock mass characterization and stability analysis in tunnels.TLS records detailed geometric information of the surrounding rock mass by scanning and collecting the positions of millions of rock surface points without contact.By conducting a fuzzy K-means method,a discontinuity automatic identification algorithm was developed,and a method for obtaining the geometric parameters of discontinuities was proposed.This method permits the user to visually identify each discontinuity and acquire its spatial distribution features(e.g.occurrences,spac-ings,trace lengths)in great detail.Compared with hand mapping in conventional geotechnical surveys,the geometric information of discontinuities obtained by this approach is more accurate and the iden-tification is more efficient.Then,a discrete fracture network with the same statistical characteristics as the actual discontinuities was generated with the distinct element method,and a representative nu-merical model of the jointed surrounding rock mass was established.By means of numerical simulation,potential unstable rock blocks were assessed,and failure mechanisms were analyzed.This method was applied to detection and assessment of unstable rock blocks in the spillway and sand flushing tunnel of the Hongshiyan hydropower project after a collapse.The results show that the noncontact detection of blocks was more labor-saving with lower safety risks compared with manual surveys,and the stability assessment was more reliable since the numerical model built by this method was more consistent with the distribution characteristics of actual joints.This study can provide a reference for geological survey and unstable rock block hazard mitigation in tunnels subjected to complex geology and active rockfalls.

基于EDEM和RSM的红茶发酵机参数优化

发酵是红茶品质形成的关键工序,而发酵条件是影响发酵程度的重要因素。为优化自行设计的滚筒式红茶发酵机性能参数,使用离散元仿真方法(Extended distinct element method,EDEM)对柔性刮板的转速进行3个梯度的仿真并比较其翻拌的均匀性;并以感官得分作为评价指标,采用响应面法(Response surface method,RSM)对影响发酵品质的3个关键因素(发酵温度、发酵时间、翻拌间隔)进行优化。结果表明,36(°)·s^(-1)的转速下发酵叶翻拌的均匀性最好;基于此转速,各因素对发酵品质的影响重要性顺序为发酵时间>发酵温度>翻拌间隔,最优工艺参数为:发酵时间230 min,发酵温度28.5℃,翻拌间隔20 min。

三维贯通节理对大跨隧道围岩稳定性的影响

为了探究贯通节理对大跨隧道围岩稳定性影响规律,运用3DEC软件结合离散元强度折减法,以剪切滑移区面积指标为稳定性判据计算大跨隧道围岩安全系数,分析三维状态下节理的走向、倾角、间距、力学参数对围岩稳定性的影响规律。研究结果表明:在大跨隧道围岩中,节理倾向影响稳定性程度由大到小依次为X向、Z向、Y向,仅有单向节理时,ψ>60°时围岩较不稳定;在双向节理组合下,节理倾角致使隧道失稳的经验判别式;节理间距对大跨隧道稳定性的影响程度根据不同块体形状而产生差异,拱顶分布长条形块体时影响最大,洞周分布尖条形块体时影响最小;节理力学参数对大跨隧道稳定性影响程度由大到小依次为内摩擦角、法向刚度、切向刚度、黏聚力;大跨隧道围岩节理倾角由水平到垂直的过程中,围岩变形破坏由拱顶沉降、拱底隆起转变为以拱顶、拱肩大变形及滑移为主。研究结果可为节理岩体中大跨隧道围岩稳定性判定及支护优化提供借鉴。