The application of a modified Voronoi logic to brittle fracture modelling at the laboratory and field scale

A modified distinct element Voronoi method, which we refer to as “Trigon” logic, is proposed for use in both two and three-dimensional modelling. A rock material is represented by an assembly of triangular (in 2D) or tetrahedral (in 3D) blocks bonded through their contacts. To evaluate the ability of the proposed Trigon logic in simulating brittle fracture, a series of unconfined and confined compression and Brazilian tests is performed...