Simulation of Stress-Strain Relations of Zhenping Marble Using Lattice-Spring-Based Synthetic Rock Mass Models

The mechanical behavior of Zhenping marble is studied using the lattice-spring-based synthetic rock mass (LS-SRM) modeling approach. Mechanical response of the rock is assessed using stress–strain relations under unconfined and confined compressions. ITASCA's SRMTools is used for the numerical modeling. The LS-SRM approach has advantages over bonded-particle-based and bonded-block-based SRM modeling approaches in terms of model construction, model calibration, and computation efficiency. Calibration of the mechanical properties of Zhenping marble is performed using the laboratory test results. In addition, a parametric study is performed to discern the sensitivity of the lattice model parameters on the macroscopic mechanical properties of rock. Stress–strain curves are affected by confining pressure and the post-peak response exhibits a typical brittle-ductile transition with plastic deformation at higher confinements. The numerical modeling results demonstrate the capability to reasonably capture the macroscopic properties of Zhenping marble such as elastic deformation modulus, crack initiation stress, tensile strength, and strength envelope, all of which are very close to the laboratory test results. The results of this study illustrate the usefulness of the LS-SRM approach in modeling mechanical properties of hard rocks.