The Application of Advanced Numerical Models in

Capturing Complex Rockmass Behaviour

Ioannis Vazaios, Ph.D.
Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Arup, London, UK
&
Anastasios Stavrou, Ph.D.
Senior Geologist, Arup, London, UK

Athens, Greece
8th October 2021
 Complex Rock Material Behaviour and Anisotropy

Layers of mudstone (dark) in

Outcrop of Silurian limestone in Saaremaa, Estonia (
https://www.sandatlas.org/limestone/)
limestone. Biri, Oppland,
Norway. Width of sample 9 cm ((
https://www.sandatlas.org/limest
Outcrop of Silurian limestone in Biri, Oppland, Norway. ( one/
https://www.sandatlas.org/limestone/) )

• Excavations undertaken within rock masses having discrete weak planes (e.g. sedimentary, metamorphic etc.)
are characterised by the presence of strong anisotropy (including bedding planes, horizontal and sub-vertical
joints etc.).

• The rock structure has a significant influence on the material response during excavation or other related works
and therefore a direct impact on our support and structural design.
Capturing Complex Rock Material Behaviour at Large
Scales
Rock material anisotropy and heterogeneity need to be captured when deemed necessary by the Engineer/Geologist
depending on:
• The scale of the project
• The anticipated behaviour of the rock mass and the role of rock structure
• The design requirements and specifications
(https://www.sandatlas.org/limestone/)
However, at what scale and how detailed?
(
https://www.sandatlas.org
/limestone/
) Mudstone layers
interbedded
with limestone

9 cm
NOT A CONTINUUM!!!
Explicit Rock Structure Simulation at Large Scales

100 m

50 m
• The medium cannot be simulated as a
continuum due to the nature of the
discontinuity system.

• Rock joints are explicitly simulated

but only at large scales.

• What happens with small scale

structure then?
Block Scale Behaviour to Account for Small Scale Structure

Digital analogue developed in

Direct shear testing conducted 3DEC v5.2
Shale – limestone contact on intact bedding
 Block Scale Behaviour to Account for Small Scale Structure

Strength and deformability anisotropy testing Calibration of continuum

using explicit rock structures Ubiquitous Joint Model based
on discontinuum modelling.
Influence of Small-Scale Anisotropy at Large Scale
Excavations
100 m
50 m

Cavern-scale discontinuum model is developed in UDEC v7:

• Using large-scale bedding planes and rock joints
• Adopting two scenarios for the continuum blocks:
a. Isotropic conventional Hoek-Brown criterion
b. Anisotropic Ubiquitous Joint Model based on calibrated parameters from laboratory testing
• Using rock bolts and shotcrete lining as support for the opening
Influence of Small-Scale Anisotropy on Displacements and
Yielding
• HBM generates higher displacements than the
UJM. The displacement distribution on the ground
surface is more extensive for the UJM but of lower
magnitude.
• Sidewall response is approximately similar with
slight differences.
• Invert displacement is higher for the UJM.
• The UJM model results in yielded zones due to the
yielding of the weak planes, hence resulting in
larger displacements.
• Yielding of the “intact” rock matrix is similar both
in the HBM model and the UJM model.
Influence of Small-Scale Anisotropy on Support Response
• Plotted M-N diagrams appear to have differences
but peak values for thrust force appear to be
similar with slight differences between the two
models.

• The HBM model appears to be resulting in larger

moments acting within the liner.

• Rock bolt axial force is similar in terms of the

locations of the peak values in both models which
are related with the rock structure (rock
discontinuity driven).

• Bolt forces appear to be higher in the HBM

model in general.
Conclusions
• Continuum numerical methods are not always appropriate. When strong
strength and deformability anisotropy are encountered within rockmasses,
discontinuum methods should be applied.

• Discontinuum analysis is appropriate to capture large scale anisotropy

through the explicit simulation of the discontinuity system but becomes
computationally intense when small scale defects need to be included in the
analysis.

• Advanced constitutive models such as the ubiquitous joint model allow us

to overcome this difficulty and generate models that capture more
realistically the rockmass conditions that our underground excavations are
expected to encounter. This has a direct impact on the design strategy
and support requirements.
The Application of Advanced Numerical Models in
Capturing Complex Rockmass Behaviour
Ioannis Vazaios, Ph.D.
yannis.vazaios@arup.com
&
Anastasios Stavrou, Ph.D.
tasos.stavrou@arup.com

Athens, Greece
8th October 2021