THEORY AND CALCULATING MODEL OF BLOCK ELEMENT METHOD
In this paper, a discrete model of numerical analysis block element method (BKEM) ispresented. The basic unknown quantities in this method are the rigid displacements of the blockelements. Based on the equilibrium conditions of the loads acting on the blocks and the stressesin the joints betWeen the blocks, deformation compatibility conditions and constitutive law of thejoint material, the governing equations can be derived with variational principle. Owing to thedifferent displacements of two adjacent elements, the element is a type of discontinuousdisplacement element. The convergency for BKEM has been proved with generalized variationalprinciple. By presenting different constitutive law of joint material, elasticity, plasticity andviscosity of structure can be considered. This method can be used to solve discontinuous mediumproblems, especially to find deformation, stress and stability of rock mass which containsnumerous joints and fissures. Research and numerical examples show the method has theadvantages of high efficiency and high accuracy.