Three-dimensional lower bound finite element limit analysis of Hoek-Brown material using semidefinite programming

A reliable and accurate stability analysis in Hoek-Brown rock masses under fully three-dimensional geometries requires an efficient and powerful computational method. This paper presents a computational implementation of a three-dimensional lower bound finite element limit analysis using semidefinite programming for Hoek-Brown rock masses. Its computational performance is investigated extensively through a variety of boundary value problems in rock mechanics, namely triaxial compression, bearing capacity and cavity contraction. New lower bound solutions are numerically derived, including bearing capacity of square footings, uniaxial compression of cube and cylindrical rock specimens with fully rough platens and tension test on double notched rock specimens.