Fractal Description of Rock Mass Structure Representative Elementary Volume

Abstract:

The mechanical parameters of the rock masses are scale dependent because of the existence of the discontinuities. The self-similarity of the discontinuities makes the application of fractal theory in the description of the rock mass structure possible. The novel point in this study is that the structure representative elementary volume (SREV) of rock mass is proposed. Rock mass structures were obtained through the two-dimensional discontinuity network simulation results, from which ten pieces of square rock mass specimens were chosen. The side lengths of the specimens were increased in turn from 1m to 10m. And the fractal dimension of each specimen with different sizes was calculated by the box-counting principal of the fractal geometry. The fractal dimensions of the rack mass structures became larger with their side lengths increasing, and finally stable. And the SREV of the rock mass was determined based on the variation rule of the fractal dimensions. Further, the relation between the structure representative elementary volume (SREV) and mechanical parameter representative elementary volume (REV) was qualitatively analyzed from the strength differences between the discontinuities and intact rock. And the conclusion was inferred that the size of the SREV was the upper limit of mechanical parameter REV. Meanwhile, the conclusion was verified by the results of the finite element method. This study can provided a referring value for the estimation of the mechanical parameter REV in future.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 594-597)
• Pages: 439-445
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.594-597.439
• Online since: November 2012
• Authors: Ting Ting Zhang, E Chuan Yan, Xian Ming Hu, Yang Bing Cao
• Keywords: Fractal Geometry, Mechanical Parameters, Rock Mass Structure, Scale Effect, Structure Representative Elementary Volume

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