| Abstract: | A highly efficient technique is presented for the finite element analysis of stresses around underground openings surrounded by an infinite extent of linearly elastic rock mass. The effect of unbounded rock is incorporated in the analysis by using elastic supports around the finite element model. Expressions for stiffnesses of the elastic supports are derived and these are found to depend on the location of elastic supports, the shear modulus and Poisson's ratio of the rock, and the ratio of horizontal to vertical initial stresses. With the use of the proposed technique, the extent of the finite domain to be considered in the analysis is highly reduced. This results in a great computational advantage. The other principal merit of the proposed technique is that a standard finite element code for stress analysis may be used without making any modification. Results of some numerical tests are reported to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method. The technique has the potential of being applied to more complex problems of unbounded domains in geomechanics. |
