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Title of the article COUPLED FEM-DEM ALGORITHM FOR NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS OF ROCK MASS MECHANICS WITH UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES
Authors

LAPATSIN Siarhei N., Ph. D. in Phys. and Math., Associate Professor of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Department, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Republic of Belarus; Postdoctoral Researcher of the School of Mechatronics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, People’s Republic of China; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ZHURAVKOV Michael A., D. Sc. in Phys. and Math., Prof., Head of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Department, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Republic of Belarus; Professor, Chongqing Research Institute of Harbin Institute of Technology, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PIAREDRIY Pavel S., Junior Researcher Trainee of the Research Laboratory of Applied Mechanics, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Republic of Belarus, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

AVDEENKO Mayia A., Student, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Republic of Belarus, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In the section GEOMECHANICS
Year 2025
Issue 3(72)
Pages 82–91
Type of article RAR
Index UDK 622.831.322; 622.276.003.13; 539.3
DOI https://doi.org/10.46864/1995-0470-2025-3-72-82-91
Abstract This work proposes a coupled algorithm combining the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Distinct Element Method (DEM) to model the mechanical behavior of rock masses near deep underground structures. FEM is used to calculate the stress-strain state of the surrounding rock mass and to identify the limit state (LS) zones in the vicinity of the underground structure through the use of a complex limit state criterion. Within these zones, DEM is further applied to model the mechanical state of the discrete structure of the mass using deformable block elements, which makes it possible to accurately describe localized zones of continuity violation in the mass (failures, shear deformation, and rockfalls). The algorithm’s efficacy is demonstrated via numerical solutions of two classic geomechanical problems: stability assessment of a single excavation and collapse analysis during the longwall mining at potash mining deposits of the Republic of Belarus. Verification of modeling results with the field data showed an error margin of 5–17 % in quantitative terms with adequate qualitative repetition of the studied geomechanical processes. The advantages of the developed algorithm include consideration of rock mass heterogeneity (due to the use of discrete medium mechanics methods), saving computational and time resources during numerical calculations.
Keywords finite element method, distinct element method, coupled numerical methods, rock mass, underground structures, complex limit state criterion
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