Developments and applications of discontinuum modelling to rock engineering

The paper is to discuss the role of discontinuum modelling in rock engineering. This modelling procedure is more frequently used at present than in the past, when continuum modelling was nearly the only method adopted for design analysis. This trend is favoured by the advances in computational methods, which make it possible to use both 2D and 3D simulations of discontinua. Also important is the increased ability in the identification and quantification of design parameters for both the single element (intact rock and discontinuities) and system behaviour (jointed rock mass). Examples are taken from case studies in tunnelling and rock slopes, when the problem is to assess the stability conditions. Also considered is the role of discontinuum modelling in the study of flow through jointed rock masses.