Numerical Analysis of Blast-Induced Stress Waves in a Rock Mass with Anisotropic Continuum Damage Models Part 1: Equivalent Material Property Approach

Summary

This paper uses the concept of anisotropic damage mechanics to analyze dynamic responses of a granite site under blasting loads. An anisotropic continuum damage model is suggested to model rock mass behavior under blasting loads. The effects of existing cracks and joints in the rock mass are considered by using equivalent rock material properties obtained from both field and laboratory test data. The anisotropic damage accumulations are simulated by continuous degradation of equivalent material stiffness and strength during loading process and are calculated using the exponential function with respect to the principal tensile strain in three directions. The suggested models are programmed and linked to an available computer program Autodyn3D through its user's subroutine capability. Stress wave propagation and damage zone in the rock mass induced by underground explosions are simulated. Numerical results of damaged area, peak particle velocity and acceleration attenuation as well as acceleration time histories and Fourier spectra are compared with those from independent field tests.