Numerical study of excavation induced fractures using an extended rigid block spring method

This paper presents a numerical study of fracturing process induced by excavation around a gallery using an extended rigid block spring method (RBSM). The surrounding rock mass is characterized by an assembly of rigid blocks based on a degraded Voronoi diagram. The macroscopic mechanical behavior of rock is related to that of interfaces between blocks. The mechanical behavior of each interface is described by its elastic stiffness and failure criterion. The failure process of interface is controlled by both normal stress and shear stress. Both tensile and shear failures are considered. The macroscopic fracturing process is described by the coalescence of cracked interfaces. The rock structural anisotropy is taken into account through a spatial variation of elastic stiffness and failure strength of interfaces. A series of sensitivity studies are performed to investigate effects of gallery orientation, failure strength of interfaces and rock structural anisotropy on gallery deformation and fracturing. Numerical results are compared with in-situ observations in terms of fracture patterns.