Probability Density Function of Rock Mass Discontinuity Distances

Rock masses are presenting an enduring challenge since the first authors began trying to model these natural structures. This modelling needs a parametrisation and a latter value assignment for those parameter value series, which show high variability, and a lack of clear patterns, in nature. Unders...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geotechnical and geological engineering 2021-03, Vol.39 (3), p.2399-2407
Main Authors: Bruzzi, Antonio Fernando Gorgulho, Alameda-Hernández, Pedro, Klen, André Monteiro, Pereira, Tiago Martins, Lana, Milene Sabino
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Boreholes
Civil Engineering
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Fractures
Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences
Hydrogeology
Hypotheses
Mathematical models
Original Paper
Parameter identification
Parameterization
Probability density functions
Probability theory
Rock masses
Rock mechanics
Rocks
Schist
Schists
Statistical analysis
Terrestrial Pollution
Waste Management/Waste Technology
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Summary:Rock masses are presenting an enduring challenge since the first authors began trying to model these natural structures. This modelling needs a parametrisation and a latter value assignment for those parameter value series, which show high variability, and a lack of clear patterns, in nature. Understanding the statistical nature of these values is an essential goal of rock mechanics, searching for the most appropriate probability density function (pdf) for fitting each one of those parameter values. The identification of those pdf is an aid for a better understanding of the rock mass nature and a need for correct discrete fracture network generation, or any probabilistic calculation. The parameter studied in this work is the degree of fracturing, in particular: the distances between fractures in a borehole rock core, which determines the Rock Quality Designation (RQD) value. The most accepted hypothesis is that these values fit a negative exponential pdf, however, with some criticism. Through the analysis of 1985 m of borehole rock core from five lithologies from two rock masses, this work shows the lognormality of the data series. The negative exponential does not fit correctly; however, the old approach for RQD based on this hypothesis offers satisfying results. Furthermore, it has been observed that schist presents the unclearer random pattern.
ISSN:0960-3182
1573-1529
DOI:10.1007/s10706-020-01634-6