Published Resources Details
Journal Article
- Title
- Development of a numerical model for discontinua
- In
- Australian Geomechanics Journal
- Imprint
- vol. G4, no. 1, 1974, pp. 13-22
- Url
- https://geomechanics.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/G4_2.pdf
- Description
The author, B. C. Burman, MEngSc PhD, MIEAust, is Deputy Managing Director of Coffey & Hollingsworth Pty. Limited, Brisbane.
[This paper was awarded the 1974 W. H. Warren Memorial Prize]
- Abstract
Numerical simulation of discontinua has been achieved through development of the finite element technique. The essential feature of this development has been recognition of the major importance of interblock displacement while intrablock deformations are treated as second order effects. The mechanics of a jointed medium has thus been related to rigid body displacements of adjacent block centroids through rectilinear joint elements which simulate normal and tangential compliance of the units. Full account has been taken of nonlinear interactions between blocks with shear behaviour defined by a general stress-strain relationship to include strain-softening, non-linear failure envelopes and dilation. Normal interaction between blocks allows for limited tensile strength, locking in both compressional and rotational modes and unstable hinge formation. The numerical technique permits adequate representation of discontinuous masses while maintaining analytical simplicity.