Study on Representative Volume Elements Considering Inhomogeneity and Anisotropy of Rock Masses Characterised by Non-persistent Fractures

This study takes the rock masses in the dam foundation of a sluice gate of the Datengxia Hydropower Station in China as a case study to determine the geometrical and mechanical representative volume elements (RVEs) considering the special natures of rock masses (inhomogeneity and anisotropy). 3D fracture networks are generated on the basis of fracture data in the field and then used in this study for RVE determination. The representative...