Simulating ground-support interaction using advanced numerical methods

数值模拟被广泛应用于几种岩石结构的设计中，包括隧道、洞室、岩洞、露天矿和地下矿山。Geomechanica公司（行业合作伙伴）开发模拟软件，并为岩石工程应用提供咨询服务。目前，Geomechanica正致力于开发一种基于混合有限-离散元法（FEMDEM）的先进模拟工具，该工具可以真实地表示岩体变形和压裂过程。虽然从材料行为的角度来看，这种建模软件和相关的计算算法是最先进的，但目前与经典的岩石支护建模方法并不一致，因此，目前在准确捕捉岩石加固技术（如岩石螺栓和锚索）的应用方面存在不足。需要一个重要的进展来适应这种模拟过程，以准确地表示岩石-支护相互作用。岩石加固通常用于土木和采矿应用，以提高岩体的强度和变形行为，是每个实际岩石力学模型都应包含的关键工程组成部分。目前的建模方法已经被证明可以定性和定量地模拟岩石的变形和破坏过程，用于岩石工程应用。本项目提出探索不同的方法，可以进一步提高他们的模拟分析的质量和准确性，当模拟加固岩体。最终目标是为其混合有限-离散单元代码获得基于力学的岩石-钢筋相互作用模型，并开发可用于实际岩石工程应用的模拟工具，如地下开挖和岩石边坡的设计。该项目的成果将有助于加强加拿大公司在基于模拟的岩石工程领域的地位，并将加强和巩固加拿大在向全球客户提供此类专业知识方面的领先地位。

Numerical simulations are widely adopted in the design of several types of rock structures, including tunnels, caverns, rock cuts, and open pit and underground mines. Geomechanica Inc. (the industry partner) develops simulation software and provides consulting services for rock engineering applications. Presently, Geomechanica is focusing on the development of an advanced simulation tool based on a hybrid finite-discrete element method (FEMDEM), which allows a realistic representation of rock mass deformation and fracturing processes. While state-of-the-art from a material behaviour perspective, this modelling software and the associated computational algorithms are not currently consistent with classical rock-support modelling methodologies and such, currently falls short in accurately capturing the application of rock reinforcement techniques, such as rock bolts and cables. An important advance is needed to adapt this simulation process to accurately represent rock-support interaction. Rock reinforcement is often used in civil and mining applications in order to improve the strength and deformational behaviour of a rock mass and represents a key engineering component that every practical rock mechanics model should incorporate. The current modelling approach has already proved to qualitatively and quantitatively simulate rock deformation and failure processes for rock engineering applications. This project proposes to explore different methodologies that could further improve the quality and accuracy of their simulation analysis when modelling reinforced rock masses. The ultimate goal is to obtain a mechanically-based rock-reinforcement interaction model for its hybrid finite-discrete element code and to develop a simulation tool that could be used in practical rock engineering applications such as the design of underground excavations and rock slopes. The outcome of this project will contribute to strengthen a Canadian company's status in simulation-based rock engineering and will strengthen and reinforce Canada's leading role in providing such expertise to clients around the globe.