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Comparison of earth pressure between numerical and analytical methods for jointed rock wedges

  • Geotechnical Engineering
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KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Aims and scope

Abstract

The magnitude of earth pressure of jointed rock wedges against a support system was investigated both analytically and numerically. Analytical method was based on the wedge analysis and numerical method was based on the discrete element method. To consider various rock wedge conditions, the controlled parameters included the rock type, number of joint, and joint shear condition. The results of analytical method were compared with the numerical test results. The comparison showed that the earth pressure of jointed rock wedges can be assessed larger by the analytical method than the numerical method and as the number of joints increases, the results of both methods becomes closer. In addition, the results indicated that the earth pressure of jointed rock wedges was strongly dependent on the rock type, number of joint, and joint shear condition. This study suggested that both the ground-structure interaction and rock and joint conditions are important for assessing the earth pressure of jointed rock wedges, and these factors should be considered when designing a support system economically and reasonably against jointed rock wedges.

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Correspondence to Moorak Son.

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Son, M., Adedokun, S. Comparison of earth pressure between numerical and analytical methods for jointed rock wedges. KSCE J Civ Eng 19, 2075–2082 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-015-0318-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-015-0318-z

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