Applications

In mining, accounting for pre-existing discontinuities in fragmentation prediction has followed pragmatic empirical e.g. blastability approaches. Efforts to improve prediction and blast design are increasingly employing dynamic crack propagation models. Here, a discontinuous computational approach based on the combine finite-discrete … Continued

Natural fractures such as joints and faults are ubiquitous in crustal rocks. These naturally occurring discontinuities often comprise complex networks and create highly disordered geological conditions. Fractures, along which rupture has caused cohesion loss and mechanical weakness in the rock, … Continued

There is a widespread interest in modelling landslide-generated impulse waves, e.g. see Xing et al. 2016.   The simulations were performed during PhD research by Pan Yang to illustrate advanced coupling methods under development with Xiang, J., Pain, C., and Latham, J-P. This … Continued

The concrete armour units used widely for harbour breakwaters are largely made with unreinforced concrete. There therefore is a risk, especially from dynamic loading as units may become loosened or dislodged or rock during storm action, that fracturing of units … Continued

This work is the collective effort of many researchers: Obeysekara, A., Latham., J.-P., Xiang, J., Lei Q., Salinas P., Pain, C., Yang P. The FEMDEM model with fracturing and an empirical Joint Constitutive Model embedded in Solidity is fully coupled … Continued

Subsurface rocks embedded with naturally occurring fractures are often encountered in engineering excavations for tunnel construction, hydrocarbon extraction, mining operations, geothermal production and deep geological disposal of radioactive waste. Underground and surface excavations that reload and perturb the rock mass … Continued

Industrial Context Ceramic particles are pelletized and fired to produce high porosity catalyst pellets of complex shapes. These pellets fill cylindrical reactor columns with particulate packing structures that are key to the in-service performance, but will suffer breakages, which impact … Continued

Sea-level rise and increased storminess present huge challenges to coastal engineers and governments worldwide. The seaward slope of many breakwaters and shoreline defence structures consists of thousands of interlocking units of concrete or rock, making up a massive granular defence … Continued