A General Block Stability Analysis Algorithm for Arbitrary Block Shapes
In rock engineering, block theory is a fundamental theory that aims to analyze the finiteness, removability, and mechanical stability of convex blocks under different engineering conditions. In practice, the possible combinations of the fractures and joint sets that may generate key blocks can be id...
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doaj-1d16557453fd45a995187760ce33e3cf2021-07-23T07:29:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632021-07-01910.3389/feart.2021.723320723320A General Block Stability Analysis Algorithm for Arbitrary Block ShapesXiao Long Cheng0Lu Peng Liu1Jun Xiao2Qi Hua Zhang3Jian Xue4Ying Wang5School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaChina University of Geosciences, Wuhan, ChinaSchool of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaIn rock engineering, block theory is a fundamental theory that aims to analyze the finiteness, removability, and mechanical stability of convex blocks under different engineering conditions. In practice, the possible combinations of the fractures and joint sets that may generate key blocks can be identified by stereographic projection graphs of block theory. However, classic key block theory does not provide solutions for nonconvex blocks, which are very common in civil projects, such as those with underground edges, corners, and portals. To enhance the availability of block theory, a general algorithm that can analyze the removability and stability of blocks of arbitrary shapes is proposed in this paper. In the proposed algorithm, the joint pyramid for blocks of arbitrary shapes can be computed, and the faces of the blocks are grouped according to their normal vectors such that parallel or nonadjacent sliding faces with the same normal vector can be immediately identified when the sliding mode is determined. With this algorithm, blocks of arbitrary shapes can be analyzed, and users do not need to have experience interpreting graphs of block theory to take advantage of its accuracy and effectiveness. The proposed algorithm was verified by several benchmarking examples, and it was further applied to investigate the stability of the left bank rock slope of a dam. The results showed that the proposed algorithm is correct, effective, and feasible for use in the design and support of excavation in complex rock masses.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2021.723320/fullblock theorysliding modearbitrary shape blockkey blockengineering application |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Xiao Long Cheng Lu Peng Liu Jun Xiao Qi Hua Zhang Jian Xue Ying Wang |
spellingShingle |
Xiao Long Cheng Lu Peng Liu Jun Xiao Qi Hua Zhang Jian Xue Ying Wang A General Block Stability Analysis Algorithm for Arbitrary Block Shapes Frontiers in Earth Science block theory sliding mode arbitrary shape block key block engineering application |
author_facet |
Xiao Long Cheng Lu Peng Liu Jun Xiao Qi Hua Zhang Jian Xue Ying Wang |
author_sort |
Xiao Long Cheng |
title |
A General Block Stability Analysis Algorithm for Arbitrary Block Shapes |
title_short |
A General Block Stability Analysis Algorithm for Arbitrary Block Shapes |
title_full |
A General Block Stability Analysis Algorithm for Arbitrary Block Shapes |
title_fullStr |
A General Block Stability Analysis Algorithm for Arbitrary Block Shapes |
title_full_unstemmed |
A General Block Stability Analysis Algorithm for Arbitrary Block Shapes |
title_sort |
general block stability analysis algorithm for arbitrary block shapes |
publisher |
Frontiers Media S.A. |
series |
Frontiers in Earth Science |
issn |
2296-6463 |
publishDate |
2021-07-01 |
description |
In rock engineering, block theory is a fundamental theory that aims to analyze the finiteness, removability, and mechanical stability of convex blocks under different engineering conditions. In practice, the possible combinations of the fractures and joint sets that may generate key blocks can be identified by stereographic projection graphs of block theory. However, classic key block theory does not provide solutions for nonconvex blocks, which are very common in civil projects, such as those with underground edges, corners, and portals. To enhance the availability of block theory, a general algorithm that can analyze the removability and stability of blocks of arbitrary shapes is proposed in this paper. In the proposed algorithm, the joint pyramid for blocks of arbitrary shapes can be computed, and the faces of the blocks are grouped according to their normal vectors such that parallel or nonadjacent sliding faces with the same normal vector can be immediately identified when the sliding mode is determined. With this algorithm, blocks of arbitrary shapes can be analyzed, and users do not need to have experience interpreting graphs of block theory to take advantage of its accuracy and effectiveness. The proposed algorithm was verified by several benchmarking examples, and it was further applied to investigate the stability of the left bank rock slope of a dam. The results showed that the proposed algorithm is correct, effective, and feasible for use in the design and support of excavation in complex rock masses. |
topic |
block theory sliding mode arbitrary shape block key block engineering application |
url |
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2021.723320/full |
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