2D Finite Element Modelling

Excavations in Blocky Rock

Masses using Phase2

Overview of Joint Networks in Phase2

 Outline
¾ Joints and their influence
¾ Properties of joint networks
¾ Joint network parameters
¾ Capabilities of Finite Element Method (FEM) for
blocky rock mass modelling
¾ Example of slope in blocky rock mass
¾ Consideration of multiple scenarios
 Objective
¾ Model rock mass response to excavation and loading
more realistically (using the Finite Element Method -
FEM)
 Influence of Joints
¾ Introduce anisotropic – preferred directions of failure
¾ Dominate rock mass response to excavation in low
stress conditions
¾ Induce significant uncertainty
¾ Induce scale effects - with increasing size
¾ Reduce rock mass strength
¾ Reduce rock mass modulus
¾ Alter failure mechanisms from discontinuous to continuous
¾ Complicate prediction of response
Conceptual Model of Network
 Joint Orientation

¾ Dip and dip direction

 Trace Plane & Apparent Dip

¾ Trace plane and apparent dip

Trace Plane 4

Trace Plane 1

Trace Plane 3
Trace Plane 2
 Intensity Measures

¾ Number of joints per unit area

 Intensity Measures

¾ Total length of joints per unit area

 Length Persistence

¾ Coplanar joints
¾ Length persistence – percentage of “joint
line” containing joints
¾ Ratio, ρ, between 0 and 1 ρ = Length of joint + Length of rock bridge
Length of joint

Joint

Rock bridge
FEM Modelling of Rock Masses

¾ Formerly said of blocky rock mass modelling

¾ FEM unable to handle multitudes of joints
¾ Discrete Element Methods and Discontinuous
Deformation Analysis more practical
¾ Today’s reality
¾ FEM highly capable alternative for practical
engineering
¾ Efficient, suitable for static equilibrium problems
(significant majority of rock engineering situations)
– detects transition from stability to instability
FEM Modelling of Rock Masses

¾ Stability, instability, and transition point

Phase2 Joint Network Example

¾ Description of problem
¾ Study influence of joint networks on stability of
slope using Phase2
¾ Adding joint networks to Phase2 model
¾ Assigning joint strength and deformation properties
¾ Defining geometry (spatial distribution) of joints in
network
¾ Applying networks to model zones
¾ Specifying joint end conditions
Phase2 Joint Network Example

¾ Analyzing effects of joint networks on

¾ Factor of safety
¾ Mode of slope failure
 Description of Problem

¾ Three scenarios
¾ Slope in unjointed rock mass
¾ Slope in rock mass with one joint (-75 degree
inclination)
¾ Slope in rock mass with two joints (-75 degree
and 30 degree inclinations)
Basic Geometry of Problem
Shear Strength Reduction (SSR)

¾ SSR tab in Project Settings

Shear Strength Reduction (SSR)

¾ Advanced SSR settings

 Field Stresses

¾ Specification of gravitational in-situ stress

regime for slope
 Slope without Joints

¾ Mesh and boundary conditions

 Analysis of Results
¾ Focus is on
¾ Factor of safety
¾ Failure mechanism –
¾ Deduced from contours of maximum shear strain and total
displacement, and deformed boundaries
 Contours of Shear Strain
¾ Factor of safety = 2.85
¾ Failure mechanism – rotational failure
Contours of Total Displacement
¾ Factor of safety = 2.85
¾ Failure mechanism – rotational failure
 Joint Properties

¾ Strength and deformation properties

Types of Joint Networks in Phase2

¾ Parallel Deterministic
¾ Parallel Statistical
¾ Cross-Jointed Bedding
¾ Baecher
¾ Veneziano
¾ Voronoi
 Types of Joint Networks in Phase2

¾ Parallel Deterministic

¾ Parallel Statistical
Types of Joint Networks in Phase2

¾ Cross-Jointed Bedding

¾ Baecher
Types of Joint Networks in Phase2

¾ Veneziano

¾ Voronoi
 Note on Joint End Conditions
¾ Closed End
¾ Joint end is represented with
ONE node in FEM mesh, (no
relative movement)
¾ Open End Joint Element

¾ Joint end is represented with

TWO nodes in FEM mesh,
(relative movements can
Joint Element
occur)
Specification of Joint Networks

¾ Steps to assigning joint network to model

zones
¾ Step 1: select joint network tool
¾ Step 2: select zone(s) to which network should be
applied
¾ Step 3: specify properties of network
Specification of Joint Network 1

¾ Input data
options for
network of joints
inclined at -75°
 Contours of Shear Strain
¾ Factor of safety = 1.05
¾ Failure mechanism – toppling
Contours of Total Displacement
¾ Factor of safety = 1.05
¾ Failure mechanism – toppling
Specification of Joint Network 2

¾ Input data
options for
network
comprising two
joint sets inclined
at -75° and 30°
¾ Dialog shows
input for second
joint set
 Contours of Shear Strain
¾ Factor of safety = 0.85
¾ Failure mechanism – block rotations and sliding
Contours of Total Displacement
¾ Factor of safety = 0.85
¾ Failure mechanism – block rotations and sliding
 Plot of Displacement Vectors
¾ Factor of safety = 0.85
¾ Failure mechanism – block rotations and sliding
End