Composite element method for the bolted discontinuous rock masses and its application

This paper presents a composite element method (CEM) for discontinuous rock masses reinforced by fully grouted bolts. This element allows one to generate mesh without considering exactly the existence of bolts and joints, which further allows for an important simplification in the pre-process work. The sub-elements of rock, grout, bolt, joint, rock/grout interface and bolt/grout interface are defined using corresponding mapped nodal displacements at the composite element. The mapped nodal displacements can be determined using the governing equations established by means of the virtual work principle. Based on the mapped nodal displacements deformation and stress in each sub-element can be further obtained. The comparative study of the CEM and the conventional finite element method (FEM) has been carried out for the preliminary verification example. The numerical study for the rock bolt crane girder of an underground powerhouse by FEM and CEM is presented as the engineering application example, in which the attention has been paid to the portion of the contact face between the girder and surrounding rock masses, the contact faces between the bolts and surrounding rock masses, as well as to the portion where the rock bolt penetrates the contact face. The comparative and application studies show the validation and advantages of the CEM.