3D DISCRETE ELEMENT METHOD BASED ON DIRECT METHOD OF JOINT NETWORK SIMULATION

A practical method is put forward based on the direct method of joint network simulation combined with 3D discrete element program 3DEC to solve the problems of failure of structurally controlled engineering rock masses. Failure is controlled to a great extent by the presence of discontinuities in shallow excavations in hard rock,so a correct interpretation of the significant discontinuity sets is significant for analyzing stability of these excavations. The direct method of joint network simulation is efficient to identify the blocks of rock masses. It can be carried out through FISH language embedded within 3DEC. An example is presented to illustrate this procedure and the results.