Continuum models for simulation of excavation in regular jointed rock structures

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to generalize our work for the development of the Cosserat Theory for two dimensional stress analysis studies of rock masses which possess regu­ lar joint patterns as are common in many excavation situations, e.g. coal seams. The Cosserat Theory, by including moment equations of equilibrium at each point of the continuum has a mechanism by which the joint system properties can be included in the analysis.