Advanced Numerical Modelling of Dynamic Fractures in Rock

The application of numerical analysis towards modelling real world problems requires fundamental understanding of the system behaviour as it occurs in nature. The choice of the numerical model schemes depends largely on the modelled problems that may be either: static equilibrium such as simulation of the stable mine excavation, continually yielding/caving strata such as goaf formation or dynamic events to simulate fast propagation of fractures in brittle rock or other dynamic behaviour. My original contribution to knowledge is the novel development of a simple explicit, dynamic numerical scheme for solving complex nonlinear dynamic fracture mechanisms in rock. This was delivered in the form of the DRFM2D model package comprising several executable codes and functions in FLAC2D. A major benefit of pursuing with such simplified numerical approach was a versatility of application that is achievable as a first-pass alternative towards otherwise expensive and hard to reproduce physical models.