Modeling Discontinuous Rock

with FLAC and UDEC

FLAC
Theory
Explicit Finite Difference Method
Constitutive Models

Steps needed
How to run program
Example problems

FLAC Theory-Explicit
Finite Difference Method
The finite difference method is perhaps the oldest
numerical technique used for the solution of sets of
differential equations, given initial values and/or boundary
values. In the finite difference method, every derivative in
the set of governing equations is replaced directly by an
algebraic expression written in terms of the field variables
(e.g., stress or displacement) at discrete points in space;
these variables are undefined anywhere else.

Explicit-time marching scheme

Lagrangian Analysis
Since we do not need to form a global stiffess matrix, it
is a trivial matter to update coordinates at each timestep
in large strain mode. The incremental displacements are
added to the coordinates so that the grid moves and
deforms with the material it represents. This is termed a
"Lagrangian" formulation, in contrast to an "Eulerian"
formulation, in which the material moves and deforms
relative to a fixed grid.

Equations

Motion and equilibrium

Constitutive relations
Darcys law for fluid flow
Fouriers law for heat flow

Equations of motion

Equations of motion

Constitutive relationships

Constitutive Models

Null
Elastic, isotropic
Transverse , tranverse isotropic
Mohr-Coulomb plastic
Ubiquitous joint
Strain hardening/softening
Double yield

Elastic, Isotropic

Elastic,
Transversely
Isotropic

Mohr-Coulomb

Ubiquitous Joint Model

Ubiquitous Joint Model

FLAC - Steps
1) Develop a specific objective for using
FLAC
2) Create a conceptual model (expected
behavior under imposed conditions)
3) Assemble data

FLAC steps

4) Make a simple model first

5) Define monitoring locations
6) Run the FLAC model
7) Present results for a clear interpretation

FLAC - How to run program

1) Generate grid

grid icol irow

2) Deform grid

gen 0,5 0,20 20,20 5,5

i=1,11
initial x 1.234 i=5 j=4

FLAC - How to run program

3) Boundary and
initial conditions

fix x j=1,11
free y j=2
apply pressure=10 j=5
initial sxx=-10 syy=5

Notes: Initial and boundary

conditions
Apply

pressure
sxx
sxy
syy
xforce
yforce
xvel
yvel

Fix
x
y
pp

Initial

pp
sat
pressure
sxx
sxy
syy
xforce
yforce
xvel
yvel
xdis
ydis

FLAC - How to run program

5) Assign constitutive
behavior and material
properties

model elastic
model mohr
prop dens=2000
prop bulk=1e8 j=6.10

FLAC - How to run program

6) Step to initial
equilibrium state

set grave=9.81
step 200 .. step 200
solve

7) Examine model
response

plot grid
print grid
plot hist
(hist ydisp i=5 j=5)

Notes: tracking model

Plot

Print

grid
sxx, sxy, syy, stress
xforce, yforce
xvel, yvel, velocity
displacement
fail, plastic, state
hist 1 (histogram)

Hist
pp
sxx, sxy, syy, sig1, sig2
unbalanced

pp
state
pressure
sxx, sxy, syy
x, y,
xdis, ydis
xvel ,yvel
hist

FLAC - How to run program

8) Alterations
excavate material
change boundary
conditions
add support

9) Repeat steps 5-8

model null
apply xforce j=1
structure beam .
structure cable .
structure support .

Notes: Program control

call

return
new
save
restore

stop/quit

reads in a text file with FLAC

commands
return control from a call
start new problem, lose everything
save the state of an analysis to disk
restore the state of an analysis from
disk
exit program

Simulating Discontinuities:
Interfaces

Joint, fault, bedding plane

Interface, e.g. soil/foundation
Contact between materials
Contact between colliding objects

Simulating Discontinuities:
Interfaces
Glued interfaces
Coulomb shear
strength
Tension bond

Simulating Discontinuities:
Interfaces
Conceptual Model

Generate

grid 50 30
model elas
model null j=14 i=1,28
model null j=29
model null j=20 i=30,50

Simulating Discontinuities:
Interfaces
Distort grid
gen 0,-45 0,0 70,0 65.926,-28.519 i=1,29 j=1531
gen .

Simulating Discontinuities:
Interfaces
Add excavation
model null .

Add interface
properties
interface 1 coh= ...

UDEC

Theory
Constitutive models
Steps needed
How to run program
Example problem

Discrete Models
A discontinuous medium is distinguished from
a continuous one by the existence of contacts or
interfaces between the discrete bodies that
comprise the system. Discontinuum methods
can be categorized both by the way they
represent contacts and by the way they
represent the discrete bodies in the numerical
formulation.

Modeling discontinuous systems

Behavior of the discontinuities
Behavior of the solid material

 Calculation cycle

Constitutive equations, contacts

n k n un
s k s u s
relationship
between force,
joint stiffness
and
displacement

Contacts (rounded corners)

 Equations of motion
.

du F

dt m
velocity, time, force, mass

 Deformable blocks
Finite difference
triangular elements

Blocks constitutive Models

Null
Elastic, isotropic
Drucker-Prager
Mohr-Coulomb plastic
Ubiquitous joint
Strain hardening/softening
Double yield

Joint constitutive model:

Continuously yielding model
Fk s u s

1
m
F
1 r

Simple UDEC model

Conceptual model

UDEC - Steps
1) Develop a specific objective for using
UDEC
2) Create a conceptual model (expected
behavior under imposed conditions)
3) Construct and run simple idealized
models

UDEC - Steps
4) Assemble data
5) Detailed model runs
6) Presentation of data

UDEC - How to run program

1) Generate a block

block 0,0 0,5 5,5 5,0

2) Round corners

round 0.5

3) Generate
discontinuities

crack 0,0 5,5

jset 20,0 0.5,0 0,0 5,0
jregion 0,0 0,5 5,5 5,0

UDEC - How to run program

4) Set boundary and
initial conditions

5) generate structures

fix range 0,20 0,5

free range 0,20 0,5
boundary stress a,b,c
range 0,0 5,5

crack delete
tunnel
arc ...

UDEC - How to run program

6) Make blocks
deformable

gen edge v

7) Assign model to
blocks

change cons=1 elastic

model

8) Assign rock
material properties

prop mat 1 dens=2000

UDEC - How to run program

9) Assign joint
material properties

prop jmat 1 jfric=20.0