Photomechanical modelling in geomechanics

Abstract

Physical modelling as a scientific method is widely employed in various fields of science and engineering; its present-day importance is generally recognized. The methods of physical modelling, being a constituent part of complex investigations in geomechanics, improve results, contribute to the lowering of total costs, as well as serving as a base for making analytical calculations and full-scale test experiments. This paper gives a review of the theoretical grounds for photomechanical and combined modelling of geomechanical processes, presents major procedures and techniques developed in VNIMI by the Laboratory of Photomechanical Modelling, which makes it possible to reproduce as a mood approximation to the full-scale model, the geological and tectonophysical properties of the modelled rock mass and structures erected in it, to carry out tests of these models not only in elastic behaviour of the material but also in its elastoplastic, plastic deformations up to its failure. In these pages, a few examples are presented showing the techniques applied in solving the problems concerning rock deformations and their failure, as well as underground constructions, which allow us to conclude whether it is advisable to use photomechanical models.