ABSTRACT
With the improvement in computing power of modern computers, numerical methods have become extremely useful in scientific research. In addition to experimental methods, computer simulation using numerical methods has been proven as a powerful and effective tool for rock dynamics. There exist a large number of numerical methods, e.g. finite element method (FEM), finite difference method (FDM), finite volume method (FVM) and discrete element method (DEM). Generally, numerical methods used in rock mechanics are classified into continuum based method, discontinuum based method and coupled continuum/discontinuum method (Jing, 2003). The classical numerical methods, e.g. FEM, FDM and DEM have a few shortcomings when they are used for discontinuous dynamics computations. For example, directly using FEM to simulate dynamic cracking propagation problems is difficult due to the continuum assumption which leads to FEM being unsuitable for dealing with complete detachment and large-scale fracture opening problems (Jing, 2003). The DEM can well simulate the fracturing process of rock by the breakage of inter-block contacts or inter-particle bonds. However, it is not suitable for stress state analysis of the pre-failure stage.
