Extensions of discontinuous deformation analysis for jointed rock masses

Beginning with the original work of Shi [Discontinuous deformation analysis: a new numerical method for the statics and dynamics of block systems. Ph.D. thesis, University of California, Berkeley (1988)], called the Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) method, a number of extensions to the method have been explored. The extensions consist of improving the contact algorithm, adding block fracturing and sub-blocking capabilities. Contacts...