Stochastic analysis of strength and deformability of fractured rocks using multi-fracture system realizations

In this paper, a systematic numerical framework is presented to predict stochastic variationsof strength and deformation parameters of fracture rocks, using multiple realizations ofstochastic discrete fracture network (DFN) models at established representative elementaryvolume (REV). Fifty 2D square geometrical models, which are generated using the MonteCarlo technique of the fracture system based on the data obtained from a real site, aregenerated for stochastic analysis of results of stress-deformation behaviors from a series of350 compressive numerical experiments, using the discrete element method (DEM). The Chi-Squared goodness-of-fit test was used to frequency and probability and cumulativedistribution functions (PDF-CDF) of the strength and deformability of fracture rocksdistributions. The results show that (i) the Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio during elasticdeformation stages have normal and lognormal distributions, respectively,(ii) both thefriction angle and cohesion derived from Mohr-Coulomb (MC) strength criterion obeynormal distributions,(iii) the m and s parameters of Hoek-Brown (HB) strength criterionhave lognormal distributions. The results of stochastic analysis show that it is a usefultechnique for evaluating random variations of strength and deformability parameters of thefractured rock, in cases where there is significant scatter in the rock and fracture parameters.