Calibration of a discrete element model for intact rock up to its peak strength

Abstract

When three dimensional, bonded discrete element models (DEMs) are deployed to model intact rock, a basic question is how to determine the micro parameters that control macro properties of the modeled rock. After briefly describing the authors' DEM code, this paper describes algorithms to calibrate the model's micro parameters against standard laboratory tests, such as uniaxial and triaxial tests. Sensitivity analysis is used to identify the deformability micro parameters by obtaining relationships between microscopic and macroscopic deformability properties. The strength model parameters are identified by a global optimization process aimed at minimizing the difference between computed and experimental failure envelopes. When applied to the experimental results of Lac du Bonnet granite, this calibration process produced a good agreement between simulated and experimental results for both deformability and strength properties. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.