International project on the development of numerical model for the coupled thermo-hydro mechanical-chemical processes (DEVOVALEX-2011), 2; Task B: Pillar stability test for crystalline rocks

Koyama, Tomofumi*; Shimizu, Hiroyuki; Chijimatsu, Masakazu*; Nakama, Shigeo ; Fujita, Tomoo 

In this paper, the coupled thermal-mechanical processes in the pillar stability test carried out at the sp Hard Rock Laboratory were simulated using both 3D Finite Element Method (3D-FEM) and 2D Distinct Element Method (2D-DEM) with particles. The simulation results by 3-D FEM shows good agreement with the data obtained from the measurements at site. The simulated crack propagation during the excavation, pressurizing and heating processes by DEM with particles agrees qualitatively well with the observation. By comparing these results obtained from two different approaches, quantitative and qualitative insights into various aspects of the processes occurred in the near field can be obtained. This work is a part of Task B, DECOVALEX2011 project.