Along with horizontal drilling techniques, multi-stage hydraulic fracturing has improved shale
gas production significantly in past decades. In order to understand the mechanism of …

We present a discussion of the state-of-the-art on the use of discrete fracture networks
(DFNs) for modelling geometrical characteristics, geomechanical evolution and …

A coupled thermal-hydro-mechanical (THM) model based on the combined finite-discrete
element method (FDEM) is presented for simulating rock cracking driven by multi-physics …

The goal of this review paper is to provide a summary of selected discrete element and
hybrid finite–discrete element modeling techniques that have emerged in the field of rock …

Rock slope failure is particularly detrimental to the safety of human life and engineering
infrastructure. The pre-existing discontinuities in the jointed rock slopes play a key role in the …

A grain-based distinct element model featuring three-dimensional (3D) Voronoi tessellations
(random poly-crystals) is proposed for simulation of crack damage development in brittle …

Nearly thirty years since its inception, the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM)
has made remarkable strides in becoming a mainstream analysis tool within the field of …

As a state-of-the-art computational method for simulating rock fracturing and fragmentation,
the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) has become widely accepted since …

Hydraulic fracturing is widely used in the exploitation of unconventional gas (such as shale
gas). Thus, the study of hydraulic fracturing is of particular importance for petroleum industry …

The stability of circular excavations in clay shales is a key issue in the drilling and tunnelling
industries as well as in the field of deep geological waste storage. A large body of …