Advanced Rock Mechanics & Discontinuous Deformation Analysis: Block Kinematics, Hoek-Brown Strength Criteria, and Multi-Discontinuity Contact Mechanics
Advanced rock mechanics and Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) model the progressive displacement, rotation, sliding, and detachment of discrete jointed rock blocks under complex engineering loadings. Unlike continuum numerical methods that treat geological media as continuous domains, DDA explicit formulation accounts for finite block displacements, non-linear joint interface friction, and dynamic contact kinematics essential for analyzing jointed rock slopes, underground caverns, and deep Himalayan tunneling works. The non-linear shear strength of heavily jointed rock masses under varying confinement is evaluated using the empirical Generalized Hoek-Brown Failure Criterion : $$\sigma_1' = \sigma_3' + \sigma_{ci} \cdot \left( m_b \cdot \frac{\sigma_3'}{\sigma_{ci}} + s \right)^a$$ Where $\sigma_1'$ and $\sigma_3'$ are the major and minor effective principal stresses, $\sigma_{ci}$ is the uniaxial compressive strength of the intact rock material, and $m...