Numerical analysis of discontinuous rock masses using three-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis (3D DDA)

Numerical analysis methods are considered very important in the field of geotechnical engineering, particularly in the area of disaster prevention. Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) is a type of discontinuous numerical analysis method that is frequently used in this topic. Since most geotechnical engineering problems are three-dimensional, Two-Dimensional Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (2D DDA) computations have exhibited limited accuracy. In order to simulate three-dimensional block behavior more accurately, the Three-Dimensional Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (3D DDA) theory for blocks with general shape was developed. This paper describes the basic principles of 3D DDA, and goes a step further by developing a new 3D DDA method. This new 3D DDA method proposed by authors is applied to an actual example site. In order to demonstrate the capability of this new method in the numerical analysis of discontinuous rock masses, the simulation results were compared and examined with the actual monitoring of the displacement behavior proceeding that led to the failure at the field site. The results show the applicability of 3D DDA in determining the deformation and failure mechanisms of rock masses.