RB-DEM Modeling and Simulation of Non-Persisting Rough Open Joints Based on the IFS-Enhanced Method

When the geological environment of rock masses is disturbed,numerous non-persisting open joints can appear within it.It is crucial to investigate the effect of open joints on the mechanical properties of rock mass.However,it has been challenging to generate realistic open joints in traditional experimental tests and numerical simulations.This paper presents a novel solution to solve the problem.By utilizing the stochastic distribution of joints and an enhanced-fractal interpolation system(IFS)method,rough curves with any orientation can be generated.The Douglas-Peucker algorithm is then applied to simplify these curves by removing unnecessary points while preserving their fundamental shape.Subsequently,open joints are created by connecting points that move to both sides of rough curves based on the aperture distribution.Mesh modeling is performed to construct the final mesh model.Finally,the RB-DEM method is applied to transform the mesh model into a discrete element model containing geometric information about these open joints.Furthermore,this study explores the impacts of rough open joint orientation,aperture,and number on rock fracture mechanics.This method provides a realistic and effective approach for modeling and simulating these non-persisting open joints.

Evaluation of toppling rock slopes using a composite cloud model with DEMATEL–CRITIC method

Safety evaluation of toppling rock slopes developing in reservoir areas is crucial. To reduce the uncertainty of safety evaluation, this study developed a composite cloud model, which improved the combination weights of the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) methods. A safety evaluation system was developed according to in situ monitoring data. The backward cloud generator was used to calculate the numerical characteristics of a cloud model of quantitative indices, and different virtual clouds were used to synthesize some clouds into a generalized one. The synthesized numerical characteristics were calculated to comprehensively evaluate the safety of toppling rock slopes. A case study of a toppling rock slope near the Huangdeng Hydropower Station in China was conducted using monitoring data collected since operation of the hydropower project began. The results indicated that the toppling rock slope was moderately safe with a low safety margin. The composite cloud model considers the fuzziness and randomness of safety evaluation and enables interchange between qualitative and quantitative knowledge. This study provides a new theoretical method for evaluating the safety of toppling rock slopes. It can aid in the predication, control, and even prevention of disasters.

Triaxial creep tests of weak sandstone from fracture zone of high dam foundation

The lithology of fracture zone which was developed at the dam foundation of a hydropower station is weak sandstone with poor integrity and pore cementation contact.Its creep properties have a significant impact on the deformation and stability of the dam.Based on the characteristics of loose organizational structure,high moisture content and poor mechanical properties,the triaxial compression tests and creep tests were carried out,respectively.The results show significant non-linear,low strength and no obvious strength peaks.Both axial and lateral strains are achieved more than 3%when the tests are failed.The weak sandstone has a significant creep property,but only transient and steady state appear under low stress.Increased stress causes creep intensified and lateral strain gradually exceeds axial strain.In the failure stage,it has characteristics of large axial plastic deformation,obvious volumetric ductility dilation and large steady creep rate.The accelerated creep appears shortly after transient loading under confining of pressures 1.0 MPa and 1.5 MPa.Therefore,an improved Burgers creep model considering the non-linear characteristics of weak sandstone is built based on hyperbolic equation and the creep parameters are identified.This model can well describe the creep properties of weak sandstone.

Triaxial mechanical creep behavior of sandstone

Based on laboratory results of time-dependent mechanical behavior tests,we investigated short-term and mechanical creep behavior of sandstone,observed in conventional triaxial compression experiments at room temperature,using a servo-controlled rheology testing machine.Given our short-term experimental test results,we confirmed deviatoric creep stress levels of sandstone.Multiple deviatoric stress levels were applied in steps to each sample.Each deviatoric stress level before the final failed deviatoric stress was maintained for 48 h or longer.Time-dependent variations of axial strains of sandstone samples are discussed and evaluated.During the creep tests,complete tertiary creep curves of sandstone were observed under failed deviatoric stress levels with different confining pressures.Slices of coal in sandstone samples can lead to distinct tertiary creep deformation failure.

Creep properties and permeability evolution in triaxial rheological tests of hard rock in dam foundation

Triaxial creep tests were carried out under seepage pressure by using rock servo-controlled triaxial rheology testing equipment.Based on experimental results,rock rheological properties influenced by seepage-stress coupling were studied,and variations of seepage rate with time in complete creep processes of rock were analyzed.It is shown that,when the applied stress is less than failure stress level,the creep deformation is not obvious,and its main form is steady-state creep.When applied stress level is greater than or less than but close to fracture stress,it is easier to see the increase of creep deformation and the more obvious accelerative creep characteristics.The circumferential creep deformation is obviously higher than the axial creep deformation.At the stage of steady-state creep,the average of seepage flow rate is about 4.7×10-9 m/s at confining pressure(σ3) of 2 MPa,and is about 3.9×10-9 m/s at σ3 of 6 MPa.It is seen that the seepage flow rate at σ3 of 2 MPa in this case is obviously larger than that at σ3 of 6 MPa.At the stage of creep acceleration,the seepage flow rate is markedly increased with the increase of time.The variation of rock permeability is directly connected to the growth and evolution of creep crack.It is suggested that the permeability coefficient in complete creep processes of rock is not a constant,but is a function of rock creep strain,confining pressure,damage variable and pore water pressure.The results can be considered to provide a reliable reference for the establishment of rock rheological model and parameter identification.

Stress dependent permeability and porosity of low-permeability rock

The seepage property of low-permeability rock is of significant importance for the design and safety analysis of underground cavities. By using a self-developed test system, both permeability and porosity of granite from an underground oil storage depot were measured. In order to study the influence of rock types on permeability, a tight sandstone was selected as a contrast. The experimental results suggested that the porosity of this granite is less than 5% and permeability is low to 10–20 m^2 within the range of effective stress. During the loading process, both exponential relationship and power law can be utilized to describe the relationship between effective stress and permeability. However, power law matches the experimental data better during the unloading condition. The stress dependent porosity of granite during loading process can be described via an exponential relationship while the match between the model and experimental data can be improved by a power law in unloading paths. The correlation of permeability and porosity can be described in a power law form. Besides, granite shows great different evolution rules in permeability and porosity from sandstone. It is inferred that this difference can be attributed to the preparing of samples and different movements of microstructures subjected to effective stress.

Numerical investigations on mechanical characteristics and failure mechanism of outwash deposits based on random meso-structures using discrete element method

Outwash deposit is a unique type of geological materials, and its features such as heterogeneity, discontinuity and nonlinearity determine the complexity of mechanical characteristics and failure mechanism. In this work, random meso-structure of outwash deposits was constructed by the technique of computer random simulation based on characteristics of its meso-structure in the statistical sense and some simplifications, and a series of large direct shear tests on numerical samples of outwash deposits with stone contents of 15%, 30%, 45% and 60% were conducted using the discrete element method to further investigate its mechanical characteristics and failure mechanism under external load. The results show that the deformation characteristics and shear strength of outwash deposits are to some extent improved with the increase of stone content, and the shear stress–shear displacement curves of outwash deposits show great differences at the post-peak stage due to the random spatial distribution and content of stones. From the mesoscopic view, normal directions of contacts between "soil" and "stone" particles undergo apparent deflection as the shear displacement continues during the shearing process, accompanying redistribution of the magnitude of contact forces during the shearing process. For outwash deposits, the shear zone formed after shear failure is an irregular stripe due to the movements of stones near the shear zone, and it expands gradually with the increase of stone content. In addition, there is an approximately linear relation between the mean increment of internal friction angle and the stone content lying between 30% and 60%, and a concave nonlinear relation between the mean increment of cohesion and stone content, which are in good agreement with the existing research results.

Research on the mining roadway displacement forecasting based on support vector machine theory

In view of the difficulty in supporting the surrounding rocks of roadway 3-411 ofFucun Coal Mine of Zaozhuang Mining Group, a deformation forecasting model was putforward based on particle swarm optimization.The kernel function and model parameterswere optimized using particle swarm optimization.It is shown that the forecast result isvery close to the real monitoring data.Furthermore, the PSO-SVM (Particle Swarm Optimization-Support Vector Machine) model is compared with the GM(1,1) model and L-M BPnetwork model.The results show that PSO-SVM method is better in the aspect of predictionaccuracy and the PSO-SVM roadway deformation pre-diction model is feasible for thelarge deformation prediction of coal mine roadway.

Experimental study on seismic response and progressive failure characteristics of bedding rock slopes

Bedding rock slopes are common geological features in nature that are prone to failure under strong earthquakes. Their failures induce catastrophic landslides and form barrier lakes, posing severe threats to people’s lives and property. Based on the similarity criteria, a bedding rock slope model with a length of3 m, a width of 0.8 m, and a height of 1.6 m was constructed to facilitate large-scale shaking table tests.The results showed that with the increase of vibration time, the natural frequency of the model slope decreased, but the damping ratio increased. Damage to the rock mass structure altered the dynamic characteristics of the slope;therefore, amplification of the acceleration was found to be nonlinear and uneven. Furthermore, the acceleration was amplified nonlinearly with the increase of slope elevation along the slope surface and the vertical section, and the maximum acceleration amplification factor(AAF) occurred at the slope crest. Before visible deformation, the AAF increased with increasing shaking intensity;however, it decreased with increasing shaking intensity after obvious deformation. The slope was likely to slide along the bedding planes at a shallow depth below the slope surface. The upper part of the slope mainly experienced a tensile-shear effect, whereas the lower part suffered a compressive-shear force. The progressive failure process of the model slope can be divided into four stages, and the dislocated rock mass can be summarized into three zones. The testing data provide a good explanation of the dynamic behavior of the rock slope when subjected to an earthquake and may serve as a helpful reference in implementing antiseismic measures for earthquake-induced landslides.

Influencing factors of compressive strength of solidified inshore saline soil using SH lime-ash

Through unconfined compressive strength test,influencing factors on compressive strength of solidified inshore saline soil with SH lime-ash,ratio of lime-ash(1-K),quantity of lime-ash,age,degree of compression and salt content were studied.The results show that because inshore saline soil has special engineering characteristic,more influencing factors must be considered compared with ordinary soil for the perfect effect of solidifying.

Estimation of unloading relaxation depth of Baihetan Arch Dam foundation using long-short term memory network

The unloading relaxation caused by excavation for construction of high arch dams is an important factor influencing the foundation’s integrity and strength.To evaluate the degree of unloading relaxation,the long-short term memory(LSTM)network was used to estimate the depth of unloading relaxation zones on the left bank foundation of the Baihetan Arch Dam.Principal component analysis indicates that rock charac-teristics,the structural plane,the protection layer,lithology,and time are the main factors.The LSTM network results demonstrate the unloading relaxation characteristics of the left bank,and the relationships with the factors were also analyzed.The structural plane has the most significant influence on the distribution of unloading relaxation zones.Compared with massive basalt,the columnar jointed basalt experiences a more significant unloading relaxation phenomenon with a clear time effect,with the average unloading relaxation period being 50 d.The protection layer can effectively reduce the unloading relaxation depth by approximately 20%.

Mechanical characteristics of columnar jointed rock at dam base of Baihetan hydropower station

Irregular columnar jointed structure is a primary irregular columnar morphological tensile fracture. In order to study the geometric features of irregular columnar joints and the new problems in geotechnical engineering, hydraulic and hydropower engineering caused by columnar jointed basaltic mass, Voronoi graph from geometry was introduced to simulate the irregular columnar jointed basaltic mass at Baihetan hydraulic station. Discrete element software UDEC was used to simulate the whole process of rigid bearing plate test. Anisotropic constitutive of columnar joints was adopted to analyze the stress diffusion of rock mass at dam base of Baihetan. The results show that, the compaction property and hysteresis effect are well simulated based on discrete element simulation of Voronoi joint structure by UDEC. Four stages of cyclic loading and unloading process are imaged clearly. The results from in situ rigid bearing plate tests are explicated and the stress diffusion rule of anisotropic body is affected by structure surface. The elements in the stress state of 4-5 MPa are the most, about more than 35% of the total. Appropriate constitutive must be proposed to columnar jointed rock mass with different styles. It has important significance to realize the nonlinear mechanical behavior of irregular columnar jointed basaltic mass.

Analysis of Negative Skin Friction on Single Pile above a Tunnel

A finite element program with two different soil models is adopted to study the negative skin friction of an unloaded single pile embedded in the settlement trough of a tunnel. The results show that it is necessary to consider the nonlinear property of soil and to set interface elements between piles and soil in analysis of the negative skin friction of piles. Among a pile group, the pile located above the tunnel centerline bears larger downdrag than the ones far away from tunnel centerline.

A Novel Hybrid Intelligent Prediction Model for Valley Deformation: A Case Study in Xiluodu Reservoir Region, China

The narrowing deformation of reservoir valley during the initial operation period threatens the long-term safety of the dam,and an accurate prediction of valley deformation(VD)remains a challenging part of risk mitigation.In order to enhance the accuracy of VD prediction,a novel hybrid model combining Ensemble empirical mode decomposition based interval threshold denoising(EEMD-ITD),Differential evolutions—Shuffled frog leaping algorithm(DE-SFLA)and Least squares support vector machine(LSSVM)is proposed.The non-stationary VD series is firstly decomposed into several stationary subseries by EEMD;then,ITD is applied for redundant information denoising on special sub-series,and the denoised deformation is divided into the trend and periodic deformation components.Meanwhile,several relevant triggering factors affecting the VD are considered,from which the input features are extracted by Grey relational analysis(GRA).After that,DE-SFLA-LSSVM is separately performed to predict the trend and periodic deformation with the optimal inputs.Ultimately,the two individual forecast components are reconstructed to obtain the final predicted values.Two VD series monitored in Xiluodu reservoir region are utilized to verify the proposed model.The results demonstrate that:(1)Compared with Discrete wavelet transform(DWT),better denoising performance can be achieved by EEMD-ITD;(2)Using GRA to screen the optimal input features can effectively quantify the deformation response relationship to the triggering factors,and reduce the model complexity;(3)The proposed hybrid model in this study displays superior performance on some compared models(e.g.,LSSVM,Backward Propagation neural network(BPNN),and DE-SFLA-BPNN)in terms of forecast accuracy.

Investigation on jointed rock strength based on fractal theory

Strength of discontinuities with complex structure is an important topic in rock engineering.A large number of studies have shown that fractal is applicable in the description of this discontinuity.Using fractal interpolation method for the generation of rock joints,numerical experiments of shear tests of the jointed rock mass model were carried out using FLAC^(3D).The test results show that the real rock joints can be simulated by fractal curves obtained by fractal interpolation.The fractal dimension is an important factor for the characterization of jointed rock mass;test results show that the fractal dimension of rock joints can be related to the equivalent cohesion strength and shear strength of the rock mass.When the fractal dimension of the joint surface is less than critical dimension Dc 1.404,the cohesion strength and shear strength of the rock mass increase as the fractal dimension increases;for larger fractal dimensions,all mechanical parameters decrease as the fractal dimension increases.Joint surfaces with different degrees of roughness were obtained by the fractal interpolation method.Three types of failure modes were observed in the tests:climbing slip failure,climbing gnawing fracture,and non-climbing gnawing fracture.

A novel non-overlapping approach to accurately represent 2D arbitrary particles for DEM modelling

Mechanical behaviors of granular materials are complicated and greatly influenced by the particle shape.Current,some composite approaches have been proposed for realistic particle shape modelling within discrete element method(DEM),while they cannot give a good representation to the shape and mass properties of a real particle.In this work,a novel algorithm is developed to model an arbitrary particle using a cluster of non-overlapping disks.The algorithm mainly consists of two components:boundary filling and domain filling.In the boundary filling,some disks are placed along the boundary for a precise representation of the particle shape,and some more disks are placed in the domain to give an approximation to the mass properties of the particle in the domain filling.Besides,a simple method is proposed to correct the mass properties of a cluster after domain filling and reduce the number of the disks in a cluster for lower computational load.Moreover,it is another great merit of the algorithm that a cluster generated by the algorithm can be used to simulate the particle breakage because of no overlaps between the disks in a cluster.Finally,several examples are used to show the robust performance of the algorithm.A current FORTRAN version of the algorithm is available by contacting the author.

Finite layer and triangular prism element method to subsidence prediction and stress analysis in underground mining

The application of the finite layer & triangular prism element method to the 3D ground subsidence and stress analysis caused by mining is presented. The layer elements and the triangular prism elements have been alternatively used in the numerical simulation system, the displacement pattern, strain matrix, elastic matrix, stiffness matrix, load matrix and the stress matrix of the layer element and triangular prism element have been presented. By means of the Fortran90 programming language, a numerical simulation system based on finite layer & triangular prism element have been built up, and this system is suitable for subsidence prediction and stress analysis of all mining condition and mining methods. Comparing with the infinite element method, this approach dramatically reduces the size of the set of equations that need to be solved, and greatly reduces the amount of data preparation required. It not only saves the internal storage, and the computation time, but also decreases the cost.

Study on the mechanical properties of outwash deposits with random structure method

Outwash deposit is one of the major threats to the safety and stability of railway transit engineering in the Sichuan–Tibet area.In this paper,different samples of outwash deposits were prepared based on the random structure method,and a series of large-scale direct shear tests were carried out under different normal stresses.The influence of stone content and the spatial distribution of stone blocks on the physical and mechanical properties of outwash deposits were studied.The results show that with the increase of stone content,the shear stress-displacement curve changs from strain softening to strain hardening.The shear zone is larger,and its shape is more tortuous due to the movement and rotation of stone blocks.The internal frictional angle increases linearly while the cohesion diseases with the increase of stone content.The main influence of the spatial distribution of stone blocks on the mechanical properties of outwash deposits is the peak stress.The shear zone is mainly determined by the distribution of the stone blocks near the shear zone.