Numerical Modelling In Rock Engineering

1. Introduction

Response of the rock mass under stress and the jointed rock mass is very dynamic, thus a solid under-standing of the behaviour of the rock mass under the abovementioned conditions is rather difficult for engineers who are responsible of safe designing, planning and operation of mining projects. Recently many engineering fields such as civil, architecture, mechanical etc. have been compelled to come up with new rigorous approach to solving through conscious or explicit model building. (Brown, 1987).

There are various analytical methods hat can be employed in the engineering field, however, the sim-plicity of these models and complexity of the real world often compel designers to search for alterna-tive techniques of analysis.

Numerical Modelling and Rock Engineering

2.1. Numerical Modelling

Numerical modelling has been a very useful tool to design, analysis and planning engineers for dec-ades. Modelling computers software have been used to collect data, create models, run and inter-pret results. According to (Surdahl, 2008) numerical modelling definition may vary depending on the application is going to be employed for, however the basic concepts remains the same i.e. the pro-cess of solving physical problems by appropriate simplification of reality.

In engineering numerical modeling is divided into two parts being physical or empirical and theoreti-cal or analytical modelling. Examples of physical modelling are laboratory and in-situ model tests and the results from such tests are in turn used to develop empirical or semi-empirical algorithms for tangible practical applications.

It is further explained by (Surdahl, 2008) that numerical modelling is made up of four steps. These steps are as follows:

1. Construction of the mathematical model for the corresponding physical problem with the appropriate assumptions taken into consideration - this can be in the form of differential or algebraic

Rock Engineering

A dynamic field of engineering on its own, rock engineering involves design and planning of open-ings, slopes or excavation in rock. A comprehensive understanding of the physical and chemical properties of the rock mass qualitatively as well as quantitatively the creation of safe and stable ex-cavations is made possible.

Rock engineering also involves the understanding of available support types and their performance. This understanding is then used to choose the appropriate support for the stability of excavations taking into consideration safety, period of service and the costs of such support. In addition an un-derstanding of mining induced seismicity, mechanism, mine layout to minimize seismicity rock burst damage.

For many years rock engineering has played an important role in ensuring that exploitation of min-erals underground s done so efficiently and safely. Much of the rock engineering knowledge has become general practice through experience, and by the efforts of rock mechanics practitioners and educational institutions to propagate the best practice in the industry. (SAIMM,