Numerical modeling is a crucial tool for understanding the behavior occurring in rocks and rock engineering design. The Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC), which is a two-dimensional numerical program based on the distinct element method, is a program to simulate the discontinuities behavior of rock and rock mass for many applications of geotechnical engineering. The discontinuous medium is comprised of discrete blocks which are rigid or deformable body. However, they are unbreakable. In other words, UDEC cannot represent behavior of discontinuities which are newly generated. This paper presents the new technical development of single block breakage depending on stress of discrete element by using FISH language, batch file and Fortran. Through this development, the influence of both pre-existing and non-pre-existing discontinuities could be investigated. Simplified simulation was conducted to verify the developed technique. From the simplified simulation, some new discontinuities were generated as step increase.
Numerical modeling is the crucial tool for understanding the behavior occurring in rocks and rock engineering design. There are many advantages of numerical analysis such as overcoming time and space constraints. However, the reliability and credibility of modeling is always case-dependent, relative and subjective (Jing, 2003). There are still many simulations which cannot represent the specific condition because of the limitations of modeling function. Therefore, development of simulation technique is very important in order to enhance the reliability of numerical simulation.
The Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC), which is a two-dimensional numerical program based on the distinct element method, is a worldwide program to simulate the discontinuities behavior of rock and rock mass for many applications of geotechnical engineering. The model is comprised of assembly of discrete blocks which is deformable or rigid body. However, they are unbreakable. In other words, UDEC cannot represent the behavior of discontinuities which are newly generated. Even if the pre-existing discontinuities behavior has major influence on stability of underground structure, considering newly generated discontinuities behavior may be required in some cases. For example, underground repository for nuclear waste which requires very high stability for a long time.
In order to investigate non-pre-existing and pre-existing discontinuities behavior in UDEC, the technique of simulating single block breakage was developed by using FISH, Fortran and batch file. Simplified simulation was conducted to verify the developed technique.
