Numerical Analysis And Modelling In Geomechanics

In geomechanics, existing design methods are very much dependent upon sophisticated on-site techniques to assess ground conditions. This book describes numerical analysis, computer simulation and modelling that can be used to answer some highly complex questions associated with geomechanics. The contributors, who are all international experts in the field, also give insights into the future directions of these methods. Numerical Analysis and Modelling in Geomechanics will appeal to professional engineers involved in designing and building both onshore and offshore structures, where geomechanical considerations may well be outside the usual codes of practice, and therefore specialist advice is required. Postgraduate researchers, degree students carrying out project work in this area will also find the book an invaluable resource.

This book is an introduction to numerical analysis in geomechanics and is intended for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate study of the mechanics of porous, jointed rocks and soils. Although familiarity with the concepts of stress, strain and so on is assumed, a review of the fundamentals of solid mechanics including concepts of physical laws, kinematics and material laws is presented in an appendix. Emphasis is on the popular finite element method but brief explanations of the boundary element method, the distinct element method (also known as the discrete element method) and discontinuous deformation analysis are included. Familiarity with a computer programming language such as Fortran, C++ or Python is not required, although programming excerpts in Fortran are presented at the end of some chapters. This work begins with an intuitive approach to interpolation over a triangular element and thus avoids making the simple complex by not doing energy minimization via a calculus of variations approach so often found in reference books on the finite element method. The presentation then proceeds to a principal of virtual work via the well-known divergence theorem to obtain element equilibrium and then global equilibrium, both expressed as stiffness equations relating force to displacement. Solution methods for the finite element approach including elimination and iteration methods are discussed. Hydro-mechanical coupling is described and extension of the finite element method to accommodate fluid flow in porous geological media is made. Example problems illustrate important concepts throughout the text. Additional problems for a 15-week course of study are presented in an appendix; solutions are given in another appendix.

Since the 1990s five books onApplications of Computational Mechanics in Geotechnical Engineering have been published. Innovative Numerical Modelling in Geomechanics is the 6th and final book in this series, and contains papers written by leading experts on computational mechanics. The book treats highly relevant topics in the field of geotechnic

In geomechanics, existing design methods are very much dependent upon sophisticated on-site techniques to assess ground conditions. This book describes numerical analysis, computer simulation and modelling that can be used to answer some highly complex questions associated with geomechanics. The contributors, who are all international experts in the field, also give insights into the future directions of these methods. Numerical Analysis and Modelling in Geomechanics will appeal to professional engineers involved in designing and building both onshore and offshore structures, where geomechanical considerations may well be outside the usual codes of practice, and therefore specialist advice is required. Postgraduate researchers, degree students carrying out project work in this area will also find the book an invaluable resource.

Geomaterials -- materials whose mechanical behavior depends on the pressure to which they are subjected -- include concrete, soils and rocks. The availability of numerical modeling, which has transformed the study of geomechanics, makes possible the application of numerical methods to the materials and topics treated here. These include brittle and ductile materials, water saturated and partially saturated geomaterials, large and small strains, steady state and transient problems, soil dynamics, strain localization and applications related to natural hazards.

In this volume a number of developments on a variety of topics have been reported. These topics include: partially saturated soil; instabilities in soil behaviour; environmental geomechanics; parallel computing; and applications to tunnels, embankments, slopes, foundations and anchors.

The solution of stress analysis problems through numerical, computer oriented techniques is becoming more and more popular in soil and rock engineering. This is due to the ability of these methods to handle geometrically complex problems even in the presence of highly nonlinear material behaviour, characterizing the majority of soils and rocks, and of media consisting of two or more phases, like saturated and partially saturated soils. Aim of this book is to present to researchers and engineers working in the various branches of geomechanics an updated state of the research on the development and application of numerical methods in geotechnical and foundation engineering. Particular attention is devoted to the formulation of nonlinear material models and to their use for the analysis of complex engineering problems. In addition to the constitutive modelling, other topics discussed concern the use of the finite element and boundary element methods in geomechanics; the dynamic analysis of inelastic and saturated soils; the solution of seepage, consolidation and coupled problems; the analysis of soil-structure interaction problems; the numerical procedures for the interpretation of field measurements; the analysis of tunnels and underground openings.

Reflecting the current research and advances made in the application of numerical methods in geotechnical engineering, this volume details proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on 'Numerical Models in Geomechanics - NUMOG IX' held in Ottawa, Canada, 25-27 August 2004. Highlighting a number of new developments in the area, papers concentrate upon the following four main areas: * constitutive relations for geomaterials * numerical algorithms: formulation and performance * modelling of transient, coupled and dynamic problems * application of numerical techniques to practical problems. Representing the most advanced, modern findings in the field, Numerical Models in Geomechanics is a comprehensive and impeccably-researched text, ideal for students and researchers as well as practising engineers.