Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Numerical study of rock bridge shape identification and rock bridge damage mechanism

  • Published:
Computational Particle Mechanics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Rock bridges are important structures for maintaining rock mass stability, but their shapes are not well known. The researchers propose a method for determining the shape of rock bridges based on experiments, discrete element methods and machine learning, which is applicable to complex joints with arbitrary spatial distribution. Numerical models are constructed using the discrete element method, and parameter matching is performed based on experimental results. The particles were clustered using the k-means algorithm with the maximum principal stress (σ1) as an indicator and the selection of initial values was optimized. The density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) algorithm was used to delete the noise from the particles. Finally, the boundary lines of the particles were extracted by self-programming, and the shape of the rock bridges was determined. Twenty-four sets of simulations were used to analyze the effect of rock bridges on the specimens. The results show that the failure mode of the specimen changes from shear to tensile damage as the cohesive force of the rock bridges increases. The peak strength and peak strain of the specimens increased with the increase of cohesion in the rock bridge. Rock bridges are the fastest growing areas of stress in the specimen.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig.1
Fig.2
Fig.3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig.10
Fig.11
Fig.12
Fig.13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

References

  1. Saeb S, Amadei B (1992) Modelling rock joints under shear and normal loading [J]. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 29:267–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Huang RQ, Huang D (2014) Evolution of rock cracks under unloading condition [J]. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47:453–466

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Xing Z, Hang L, Xiangjie Y, Hongwei L, Baohua L (2023) Mechanical characterization of intermittent weak interlayer based on DIC and acoustic emission technique [J]. Theoret Appl Fract Mech 127:104097

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Chen YF, Sheng BY, Xie SJ, Cao RH, Wang YX, Zhao YL, Lin H (2023) Crack propagation and scale effect of random fractured rock under compression-shear loading [J]. J Mater Res TechnolJMR&T 23:5164–5180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bandis SC, Lumsden AC, Barton NR (1983) Fundamentals of rock joint deformation [J]. Int J Rock Mech and Min 20:249–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Zhang X, Lin H, Hu HH, Cheng YH, Zhang WY (2023) A nonlinear rheological shear constitutive model of bolted joints considering initial damage and damage evolution [J]. Int J Damage Mech 32(9):1077–1098

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Sanchidrian JA, Ouchterlony F, Segarra P, Moser P (2014) Size distribution functions for rock fragments [J]. Int J Rock Mech Mining Sci 71:381–394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Paronuzzi P, Bolla A, Rigo E (2016) 3D stress-strain analysis of a failed limestone wedge influenced by an intact rock bridge [J]. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49:3223–3242

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Tang Y, Xie L, Chen Y, Sun S, Zha W, Lin H (2023) Automatic recognition of slide mass and inversion analysis of landslide based on discrete element method [J]. Comput Geosci 176:105338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Huiming T, Zongxing Z, Chengren X, Yiping W, Xinli H, Liangqing W, Sha L, Criss RE, Changdong L (2015) An evolution model of large consequent bedding rockslides, with particular reference to the Jiweishan rockslide in Southwest China [J]. Eng Geol 186:17–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Tang Y, Lin H, Wang YX, Zhao YL (2021) Rock slope stability analysis considering the effect of locked section [J]. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80:7241–7251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Shijie X, Hang L, Hongyu D, Hongwei L, Baohua L (2023) Numerical study on cracking behavior and fracture failure mechanism of fractured rocks under shear loading [J]. Comput Particle Mech. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-023-00660-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Jinge W, Daniel S, Liu Qingbing Su, Xinli AH, Philipp B (2021) Three-dimensional landslide evolution model at the Yangtze River [J]. Eng Geol 292:106275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Liu HD, Li DD, Wang ZF, Geng Z, Li LD (2020) Physical modeling on failure mechanism of locked-segment landslides triggered by heavy precipitation [J]. Landslides 17:459–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Delonca A, Gunzburger Y, Verdel T (2021) Cascade effect of rock bridge failure in planar rock slides: numerical test with a distinct element code [J]. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 21:1263–1278

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. Tang P, Chen GQ, Huang RQ, Wang D (2021) Effect of the number of coplanar rock bridges on the shear strength and stability of slopes with the same discontinuity persistence [J]. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80:3675–3691

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Yi T, Hang L, Rihong C, Shuwei S, Wenhua Z (2023) Role of rock sections in intermittent joints in controlling rock mass strength and failure modes [J]. Rock Mech Rock Eng 56(7):5203–5221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Chao Xu, Yuan C, Lei X, Hongran C, Jinyu D, Haixi Z (2023) Experimental study on mechanical properties and failure behaviours of new materials for modeling rock bridges [J]. J Market Res 23:1696–1711

    Google Scholar 

  19. Sadegh Z, Saeed K-N, Hossein J (2021) Analysis and determination of the behavioral mechanism of rock bridges using experimental and numerical modeling of non-persistent rock joints [J]. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 141:104714

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Viviana B-S, Luc S, Frédéric-Victor D, Marc E (2015) DEM analysis of rock bridges and the contribution to rock slope stability in the case of translational sliding failures [J]. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 80:67–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Hongran C, Siqing Q, Lei X, Baicun Y, Ke Z (2018) A physical model predicting instability of rock slopes with locked segments along a potential slip surface [J]. Eng Geol 242:34–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Zack T, Doug S (2016) Improvements to field and remote sensing methods for mapping discontinuity persistence and intact rock bridges in rock slopes [J]. Eng Geol 208:136–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Chen GQ, Liu H, Qin CA, Zhao C, Huang RQ (2017) Mechanical properties and crack model of central rock bridge in triaxial unloading test. Chin J Rock Mech Eng 36(5):1162–1173

    Google Scholar 

  24. Aziznejad S, Esmaieli K, Hadjigeorgiou J, Labrie D (2018) Responses of jointed rock masses subjected to impact loading [J]. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 10:624–634

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Elmo D, Stead D, Yang BV, Marcato G, Borgatti L (2022) A new approach to characterise the impact of rock bridges in stability analysis [J]. Rock Mech Rock Eng 55:2551–2569

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. Wang Y, Yang HN, Han JQ, Zhu C (2022) Effect of rock bridge length on fracture and damage modelling in granite containing hole and fissures under cyclic uniaxial increasing-amplitude decreasing-frequency (CUIADF) loads [J]. Int J Fatigue 158:1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Zhufeng Y, Fanzhen M, Xiong Z, Xiaoshan W, Liming Z, Zaiquan W (2022) Influence of non-persistent joint aperture and inclination angle on the shear behavior and fracture mode of solid rock and concrete material [J]. Constr Build Mater 316:125892

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Brett PA, Deepak A, Hua G (2018) Simulating mining-induced strata permeability changes [J]. Eng Geol 237:208–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Yifan C, Hongsheng Li, Hang L, Yixian W, Yanlin Z, Yizhou C (2023) Critical slip line recognition and extraction method of slope based on modified k-medoid clustering algorithm [J]. Comput Geotech 154:105125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Chen YW, Zhou LD, Bouguila N, Wang C, Chen Y, Du JX (2021) BLOCK-DBSCAN: Fast clustering for large scale data [J]. Pattern Recogn 109:107624

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Gao G, Yao W, Xia K, Li Z (2015) Investigation of the rate dependence of fracture propagation in rocks using digital image correlation (DIC) method [J]. Eng Fract Mech 138:146–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Hahsler M, Piekenbrock M, Doran D (2019) dbscan: fast density-based clustering with R [J]. J Stat Softw 91:1–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Cungen W, Shuhong W, Chen Guangqi Yu, Pengcheng PX (2021) Implementation of a J-integral based maximum circumferential tensile stress theory in DDA for simulating crack propagation [J]. Eng Fract Mech 246:107621

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This paper gets its funding from Projects (42277175, 52104110) supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project (2023JJ30657) supported by Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China; Hunan provincial key research and development Program(2022SK2082); Guizhou Provincial Major Scientific and Technological Program(2023-425); Project (NRMSSHR-2022-Z08) supported by Key Laboratory of Natural Resources Monitoring and Supervision in Southern Hilly Region, Ministry of Natural Resources. The authors wish to acknowledge these supports.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China

    Yi Tang, Hang Lin, Su Li & Yifan Chen

  2. Key Laboratory of Natural Resources Monitoring and Supervision in Southern Hilly Region, Ministry of Natural Resources, Changsha, 430071, China

    Hang Lin, Su Li & Linglin Xie

  3. The Second Surveying and Mapping Institude of Hunan Province, Changsha, 430071, China

    Hang Lin, Su Li & Linglin Xie

  4. China Railway 5 Engn Grp Co Ltd, Guizhou, 550003, China

    Ke Ou

Authors
  1. Yi Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hang Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Su Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yifan Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ke Ou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Linglin Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Su Li.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tang, Y., Lin, H., Li, S. et al. Numerical study of rock bridge shape identification and rock bridge damage mechanism. Comp. Part. Mech. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-024-00732-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-024-00732-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation