Prediction of uniaxial compression PFC3D model micro‐properties using artificial neural networks

Artificial neural networks are used to predict the micro‐properties of particle flow code in three dimensions (PFC3D) models needed to reproduce macro‐properties of cylindrical rock samples in uniaxial compression tests. Data for the training and verification of the networks were obtained by running a large number of PFC3D models and observing the resulting macro‐properties. Four artificial networks based on two different architectures were used. The networks used different numbers of input parameters to predict the micro‐properties. Multi‐layer perceptron networks using Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, uniaxial compressive strength, model particle resolution and the maximum‐to‐minimum particle ratio showed excellent performance in both training and verification. Adding one more variable—namely, minimum particle radius—showed degrading performance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation on strength and stability of jointed rock mass using three‐dimensional numerical manifold method

This paper proposes a numerical model for jointed rock masses within the 3‐D numerical manifold method (NMM) framework equipped with a customized contact algorithm. The strength of rock sample containing a few sets of discontinuities is first investigated. The results of models with simple geometries are compared with the available analytical solutions to verify the developed computer code, whereas models with complex geometries are simulated to better understand the fundamental behavior and failure mechanism of jointed rock mass. Furthermore, the stability of jointed rock mass in an underground excavation is studied, where rock failure process is determined by the 3‐D NMM simulation. The simulation results provide valuable guidance on excavation process design and stabilization design in rock engineering practice. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of property variation and modelling on convection in a fluid overlying a porous layer

An accurate computational analysis is presented for the onset of thermal convection in a two‐layer system which is comprised of a saturated layer of porous material described by Darcy's law, over which lies a layer of the same saturating fluid. The two‐layer system is heated from below and the upper (fluid) surface is allowed to be fixed or stress free. The onset of convection may have a bi‐modal nature in which convection may be dominated by the porous medium or by the fluid depending on the depths of the relative layers, but this is strongly controlled by material parameters. The effect of variation of relevant fluid and porous material properties is investigated in detail, as is the effect of the interface boundary condition between the fluid and the porous medium. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.