Investigating the role of block kinematics and brittle fracture in rock failure mechanisms: A combined multi-sensor remote sensing-numerical modelling approach.

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Rock failure mechanisms are inherently complex often involving a combination of sliding, rotation, lateral/rear release and intact rock fracture. The relative contribution of each of these processes in engineering practice is controlled by the presence, or absence, of suitably oriented structures at scales ranging from grain boundaries, to discrete fracture networks and highly persistent structures such as faults or fold limbs. In this research a major focus will on be the development of new field based /remote sensing methods and numerical modelling procedures to allow improved understanding of the inter-relationships between kinematics and brittle fracture in rock failure mechanisms. State of the art field-based mapping/monitoring, numerical and experimental research will be undertaken to investigate rock failure kinematics, brittle fracture and damage at multiple engineering scales. Multi-sensor remote sensing methods will be developed to investigate the relationships between kinematics, damage and rock failure. New approaches to remote sensing data collection and interpretation will be developed including the application of machine learning techniques. Combined two and three-dimensional brittle fracture-DFN modelling techniques will be used to explore the degree of brittle fracture/damage related to varied kinematic, structural, groundwater and stress environments. The importance of time-dependent deformation in varied rock failure mechanisms will be explored in both surface and underground environments using numerical modelling constrained against combined surface and borehole deformation measurements; the use of a synthetic model approach will be used to improve the fit between numerical and monitoring data. Inter-elationships between time dependent deformation and the development of kinematic release will be investigated. The variation in tectonic damage in rock masses will be explored in exposures of large-scale structures using a remote sensing approach. State of the art geovisualisation methods (Mixed, Virtual and Augmented Reality) will be an important component of the proposed research including spatio-temporal holographic visualisation to allow efficient three-dimensional viewing and communication of kinematic brittle failure processes. Holographic visualisation of mapping, monitoring and simulation data will be used at all scales from laboratory samples to overall open pit slopes and major landslides. The research will train HQP from the postdoctoral to the undergraduate level in engineering geological mapping, state of the art remote sensing technology and geomechanical modelling. The proposed research will be of major importance to both surface rock slope and underground excavation engineering with impact on both Canadian and international practice. An improved understanding of rock failure mechanisms will allow geotechnical hazards and risk to be more rigorously defined with significant safety and economic benefits.