journal article·2026-07Open access

Improved experimental and numerical study on mix proportions of similar material for simulating soft rock mass

Cui Lan, Zhuo Hongming, Sheng Qian, Dong Youkou, Fan Leyang

Abstract

Current analyses lack consensus on the correlation between mix proportions and mechanical properties of surrounding rock similar materials. Discrete element methods (DEM) predominantly simulate strong-bonded and non-bonded particles, with insufficient attention to weak bonds. Moreover, these simulations often oversimplify real multi-particle composition using single-particle types. In order to solve the deficiencies above, this study developed similar materials for simulating Grade IV surrounding rock based on a prototype railway tunnel. An orthogonal experimental scheme with 16 mix proportions was designed to perform uniaxial compression tests and direct shear tests, establishing relationships between mix proportions and key mechanical parameters. The internal structure and crack evolution were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle image velocimetry (PIV). An improved discrete element method considering multi-particle composition was proposed and validated against experimental results. Based on the results of the numerical and experimental test, the similar material was subsequently applied to simulate a large-scale tunnel model test, revealing the failure mechanism and bearing capacity of the surrounding rock. The result shows that the improved similar materials of the surrounding rock in this study can better simulate the mechanical behaviour of real surrounding rock.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Rock Mechanics and Modeling · Soil, Finite Element Methods · Geomechanics and Mining Engineering

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