THE ROLE AND CREDIBILITY OF COMPUTATIONAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING ROCK MECHANICS

Computational schemes for analysis of rock mass response to excavation, loading and other imposed changes, are employed pervasively in rock mechanics practice. Applications range in complexity from determination of stress and displacement distributions around openings, to prediction of the thermo-hydromechanical behaviour of a saturated fissured mass. While this may be taken as apparent sophistication in rock mechanics design activity, the indiscriminate use of computer methods may sometimes conceal inferior and inadequate engineering procedures. These inadequacies may not always be recognized, due to the general uncertainties which are inherent in rock mechanics investigations. This paper seeks to identify some common deficiencies in rock mechanics applications of computational schemes, and to propose ways of eliminating them. It also indicates some specific developments and applications of computational procedures, which are required to address persistent design problems in geomechanics practice. For the covering abstract of symposium see IRRD 284392. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0895202972
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Issues in Rock Mechanics. Proceedings of the 23rd Symposium on Rock Mechanics, University of California, Berkeley, August 25-27, 1982.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Institute of Mining, Mettalurgy & Petroleum Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017
• Authors:
  • Brady, BHC
  • St John, C M
• Conference:
  • Issues in Rock Mechanics. Proceedings of the 23rd Symposium on Rock Mechanics, University of California, Berkeley, August 25-27, 1982.
• Publication Date: 1982

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 571-586

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calculation; Conferences; Design; Digital computers; Excavations; Faults; General surface features of the earth; Geomorphology; Landslides; Mathematical models; Physical properties; Planning; Rock mechanics; Rocks; Shape; Stability (Mechanics); Stresses
• Uncontrolled Terms: Design criteria; Geometry (Shape); Site investigation; Use
• Old TRIS Terms: Geological faults; Rock properties
• ITRD Terms: 6464: Calculation; 8525: Conference; 9011: Design (overall design); 8673: Digital computer; 4068: Fault (geomorphol); 4029: Landslide; 6473: Mathematical model; 143: Planning; 5757: Rock mechanics; 9073: Shape; 5722: Site investigation; 5930: Stability; 5575: Stress (in material); 4076: Structure (geomorphol); 9084: Use
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I43: Rock Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00452598
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 0-89520-297-2
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 27 2004 9:59PM