- Fluid Flow: UDEC can be used to model fluid flow through the fractures of a system of impermeable blocks. A fully coupled mechanical-hydraulic analysis is performed, in which fracture conductivity is dependent on mechanical deformation and, in return joint water pressures affect the mechanical computations. Confined flow, transient flow, two-phase flow, and flow with a free surface can be modeled in UDEC.
- Structural Elements: Structural elements provide the ability to model support in UDEC. Reinforcement is modeled using cables that may be part of a local or global reinforcement model. Surface support is provided through beam elements (which may represent concrete lining, shotcrete, steel sets, etc.) and one-dimensional support members (which may be hydraulic or wooden props or packs).
- Thermal: UDEC's thermal capability simulates transient heat conduction in materials and the development of thermally induced displacements and stresses. Heat transfer is modeled as conduction. Several different thermal boundary conditions may be imposed. Any mechanical model may be used with the thermal model. Heat sources may be inserted into the material and may be made to decay with time. Implicit and explicit calculation schemes are available and may be interchanged. The thermal analysis may be coupled to the mechanical and the fluid calculations.
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Backfilling a deep long-wall excavation; stress states, from top to bottom: at 10m excavated, at 30m excavated and 20m backfilled, at 50m excavated and 40m backfilled
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- Simulation of large displacements (slip and opening) along distinct surfaces in a discontinuous medium (e.g., jointed rock masses)
- Discontinuous medium treated as an assemblage of discrete (convex or concave) polygonal blocks with rounded corners
- Discontinuities treated as boundary conditions between blocks
- Relative motion along the discontinuities governed by linear and non-linear force-displacement relations for movement in both the normal and shear directions
- Explicit solution scheme, giving a stable solution to unstable physical processes
- Rigid or deformable blocks (can be mixed)
- Library of material models for deformable blocks (e.g., elastic, Mohr-Coulomb plasticity, ubiquitous joint, double-yield, and strain-softening)
- Library of material models for discontinuities (e.g., Coulomb slip, continuously-yielding, and Barton-Bandis [optional])
- Thermal and thermal-mechanical calculation
- Excavation and backfill simulation
- Coupled fluid flow in joints and pressure in cavities
- Boundary elements coupling for "infinite domain" problems
- Full dynamic capability, with absorbing boundaries and wave input
- Structural elements (including non-linear cables), with general coupling to continuum blocks (spatially-extensive) or discontinuities (local reinforcement)
- Tunnel generator and statistically-based joint-set generator
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model of lithophysal tuff
damage in model (cracks in red; displacement vectors in green)
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