Modelling rock fracturing by a novel implicit continuous to discontinuous method

Abstract

This research introduces a novel implicit continuous to discontinuous method to investigate the cross-scale failure process of discontinuous rock masses, including fine fracture creation, propagation, and rigid block contact. This method enables an intact rock to split and crush, with the local deformation/movement propagating rapidly throughout the whole system. The method was applied to investigate the progressive slope failure. The results revealed that the number of failure elements within the slope increased rapidly at the primary fracture stage. The upper part of the failure band gradually shifted upward and backward towards the slope crest, where several tension cracks were clearly visible. Additionally, the failed zone became wider as the homogeneity coefficient m increased. Furthermore, the factor of safety (FoS) increased as the growth stage of m progressed, but it reached a constant value when m exceeded 8, indicating that the material became relatively uniform. Interestingly, for slopes with varying elevation heights, the FoS decreased in a power function form as the ratio of the slope height to the width of the slope top surface increased. Overall, these findings shed light on developing the continuous-discontinuous computational model, with the application to study the progressive failure process of slopes.