PDF(5027 KB)
Review of theoretical developments and engineering applications in discontinuous deformation analysis
LinFeng WANG, Bo CAI, MingJun XIE, Long ZHOU, Jie HE
Prog Geophy ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (5) : 2232-2255.
PDF(5027 KB)
PDF(5027 KB)
Review of theoretical developments and engineering applications in discontinuous deformation analysis
With the increasing complexity of geotechnical engineering projects, traditional continuum mechanics theories struggle to accurately characterize the discontinuous deformation behavior of rock masses under complex environments and strong disturbances. As a numerical simulation method well-suited to the discrete nature of rock masses, the Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) method offers unique advantages in handling dynamic responses under conditions of large deformation, large displacement, and complex boundary constraints. This paper first reviews the theoretical framework and improvements of DDA, with particular attention to advances in contact detection, boundary conditions, and multi-physics coupling modeling. It then summarizes the achievements of DDA applications in various dimensions, including slope engineering, underground construction, and responses to seismic and blasting loads. Finally, it analyzes the current challenges and future research directions in both theoretical development and engineering practice. The results show that, owing to its adaptability to block motion and contact behavior, DDA demonstrates remarkable advantages in a wide range of rock engineering problems. It not only elucidates instability mechanisms such as block toppling and sliding, and accurately simulates hazardous block trajectories, but also improves the precision of sliding process modeling through the incorporation of viscous boundary conditions and friction attenuation mechanisms. These advances enable dynamic reconstruction of the entire process from blast cavity expansion and fracture propagation to muck pile formation. Future research should focus on refining contact algorithms and friction constitutive models, developing multi-field coupling frameworks, advancing high-performance parallel computing, and integrating intelligent modeling with machine learning for engineering risk prediction. Such efforts will enhance the adaptability and practicality of DDA for catastrophic event analysis in complex rock masses, providing robust theoretical support and numerical tools for disaster prediction and risk mitigation in complex rock engineering.
Rock Mechanics / Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) / Block contact theory / Multi-physics coupling / Engineering applications
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chen X F. 2022. A thermal-solid coupling numerical model based on disk DDA and its applications [Master's thesis](in Chinese). Xiangtan: Hunan University of Science and Technology.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jiang Q H. 2000. Research on three dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis method [Ph. D. thesis](in Chinese). Wuhan: Wuhan Institute of Rock & Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liu G Y. 2019. Three-dimensional DDA contact model and failure law investigation of rockfall [Ph. D. thesis](in Chinese). Dalian: Dalian University of Technology.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shi G H. 1988. Discontinuous deformation analysis-A new numerical model for the statics and dynamics of block systems [Ph. D. thesis]. Berkeley: University of California.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shi G H. 2001. Three dimensional discontinuous deformation analyses. //DC Rocks 2001, The 38th U.S. Symposium on Rock Mechanics (USRMS). Washington: American Rock Mechanics Association, ARMA-01-1421.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wang Z S. 2019. Study on mechanism and discontinuous deformation analysis of hydraulic fracturing of rock [Ph. D. thesis](in Chinese). Ji'nan: Shandong University.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Xu T. 2021. Thermal-mechanical coupled discontinuous deformation analysis and its application to microwave rock breaking [Ph. D. thesis](in Chinese). Nanjing: Southeast University.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zheng C M. 2010. Study on hydro-mechanical coupling of fractured rock mass based on DDA [Ph. D. thesis](in Chinese). Ji'nan: Shandong University.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
陈晓峰. 2022. 颗粒DDA热固耦合数值模型及其应用[硕士论文]. 湘潭: 湖南科技大学.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
姜清辉. 2000. 三维非连续变形分析方法的研究[博士论文]. 武汉: 中国科学院研究生院(武汉岩土力学研究所).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
刘国阳. 2019. 三维DDA接触模型与边坡滚石破坏规律研究[博士论文]. 大连: 大连理工大学.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
王知深. 2019. 岩石水压致裂的机理研究及非连续变形分析计算[博士论文]. 济南: 山东大学.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
许涛. 2021. 热力耦合的非连续变形分析方法及其在微波破岩中的应用[博士论文]. 南京: 东南大学.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
郑春梅. 2010. 基于DDA的裂隙岩体水力耦合研究[博士论文]. 济南: 山东大学.
|
|
|
感谢审稿专家提出的修改意见和编辑部的大力支持!
/
| 〈 |
|
〉 |