Skip to main content
Log in

Discontinuous deformation and displacement analysis: From continuous to discontinuous

  • Article
  • Special Issue on Rock Fractures and Discontinuities: Modeling and Analysis
  • Published:
Science China Technological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A discontinuous deformation and displacement (DDD) analysis method is proposed for modelling the rock failure process. This method combines the rock failure process analysis (RFPA) method (based on finite element method) and discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) method. RFPA is used to simulate crack initiation, propagation and coalescence processes of rock during the small deformation state. The DDA method is used to simulate the movement of blocks created by the multiple cracks modelled by the RFPA. The newly developed DDD method is particularly suitable for modelling both crack propagation and block movement during the rock failure process because of the natural and convenient coupling of continuous and discontinuous deformation analyses. The proposed method has been used to simulate crack initiation, propagation and coalescence within a slope as well as the block movement during the landslide process. Numerical modelling results indicate that the proposed DDD method can automatically simulate crack propagation and block movement during the rock failure process without degrading accuracy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hudson J A, Harrison J P. Engineering Rock Mechanics-An Introduction to the Principles. Oxford: Pergamon, 1997

    Google Scholar 

  2. Cundall P A. A computer model for simulating progressive large scale movements in blocky rock systems. In: Proceedings of the Symposium of the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM), Nancy, France, 1971. 129–136

    Google Scholar 

  3. Shi G H. Discontinuous deformation analysis: A new numerical model for the statics and dynamics of block systems. Dissertation of Doctor Degree. Berkeley: University of California, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  4. Tang C A. Numerical simulation of progressive rock failure and associated seismicity. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci, 1997; 34: 249–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Tang S B, Tang C A. Crack propagation and coalescence in quasi- brittle materials at high temperatures. Eng Fract Mech, 2015; 134: 404–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Tang S B, Tang C A. Numerical studies on tunnel floor heave in swelling ground under humid conditions. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci, 2012; 55: 139–150

    Google Scholar 

  7. Jiang Q H, Sun J S, Wei W, et al. A numerical model coupling three-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis (3D DDA) with finite element method. Adv Sci Lett, 2013; 19: 2736–2740

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Cheng Y M, Zhang Y H. Coupling of FEM and DDA methods. Int J Geomechanics, 2002; 2: 503–517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Bai W, Lin B. Numerical simulations of deformation and movement of blocks within North China in response to 1976 Tangshan earthquake. Sci China Ser D, 2003; 46: 141–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Manthei G. Characterization of acoustic emission sources in a rock salt specimen under triaxial compression. B Seismol Soc Am, 2005; 95: 1674–1700

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Basu B, Tiwari D, Kundu D, Prasad R. Is Weibull distribution the most appropriate statistical strength distribution for brittle materials? Ceram Int, 2009; 35: 237–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Weibull W. The Phenomenon of Rupture in Solids. Stockholm: Generalstabens Litografiska Anstalts Forlag, 1939

    Google Scholar 

  13. Mazars J, Pijaudier C G. Continuum damage theory-application to concrete. J Eng Mech-ASCE, 1989; 115: 345–365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Cerrolaza M, Garcia R. Boundary elements and damage mechanics to analyze excavations in rock mass. Eng Anal Bound Elem, 1997; 20: 1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Xue X H, Yang X G, Chen X. Application of a support vector machine for prediction of slope stability. Sci China Tech Sci, 2014; 57: 2379–2386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Zhang W, Chen J P, Zhang W, et al. Determination of critical slip surface of fractured rock slopes based on fracture orientation data. Sci China Tech Sci, 2013; 56: 1248–1256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Tang C A, Li L C, Li C W. RFPA strength reduction method for stability analysis of geotechnical engineering (in Chinese). Chin J Rock Mech Eng, 2006; 25: 1522–1530

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to ChunAn Tang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tang, C., Tang, S., Gong, B. et al. Discontinuous deformation and displacement analysis: From continuous to discontinuous. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 58, 1567–1574 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-015-5899-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-015-5899-8

Keywords

Navigation