Elastically-homogeneous lattice modelling of transversely isotropic rocks

In this paper, the Rigid Body Spring Network method is further developed to perform analyses of transversely isotropic rocks. Two contributions are proposed: (1) an extension of the fictitious stress approach and (2) the combined application of the Smooth Joint Model and a discontinuous failure criterion. While the first contribution enables the numerical method to perform elastically homogeneous analysis of transversely isotropic materials, the second provides for the proper manifestation of sliding failure on a discontinuity. In order to verify the competence of the contributions, validation analyses are performed and a case study is presented based on an argillite rock.