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<p>Blocky rock masses consist of discrete blocks with low contact cohesion, allowing for rotational motion and corner-to-adjacent-block interactions (elbowing). Block shapes are primarily defined by joint set intersections and can be further modified by processes such as spheroidal weathering. These processes can introduce curvature and alter block contact mechanics. This study investigates block motions governed by elbowing and rounded corner blocks under varying contact friction and block quantities. A chain of rigid blocks with rounded corners is modeled in the discrete element method (DEM) software UDEC. The blocks are constrained to translate along the x-axis and rotate about the z-axis, while there is no translation along the y-axis. A low angular velocity is applied to the first block, designated as the active (driving) block, while the remaining blocks act as passive blocks. The results reveal a transition from reversible to irreversible passive block kinematics governed by contact friction and corner geometry. Reversible responses include rotation followed by full recovery or no rotation. The boundary between these types of behavior is defined by a linear relationship between the driving–passive and passive–passive contact friction coefficients, with the intercept related to block corner rounding. In contrast, irreversible kinematics characterized by residual rotation emerge only for highly rounded blocks. This behavior is restricted to short block chains with fewer than five blocks. These findings highlight the importance of considering both block elbowing and realistic block shape in modeling blocky rock mass, especially systems governed by the interaction of only a few blocks.</p><p><b>Highlights</b><UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> <p>Block corner rounding influences block kinetics through elbowing.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Chains of elbowing rounded blocks exhibit three distinct passive block motion types.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Block rounding induces a previously unreported rotation pattern characterized by residual rotations.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>The proposed model offers a more reliable basis for understanding block motion and system behavior.</p> </ItemContent> </UnorderedList></p>

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Block Elbowing and Rotation Patterns in Chains of Rounded Blocks

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月20日

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  • Maoqian Zhang,
  • Arcady Dyskin,
  • Elena Pasternak

摘要

Blocky rock masses consist of discrete blocks with low contact cohesion, allowing for rotational motion and corner-to-adjacent-block interactions (elbowing). Block shapes are primarily defined by joint set intersections and can be further modified by processes such as spheroidal weathering. These processes can introduce curvature and alter block contact mechanics. This study investigates block motions governed by elbowing and rounded corner blocks under varying contact friction and block quantities. A chain of rigid blocks with rounded corners is modeled in the discrete element method (DEM) software UDEC. The blocks are constrained to translate along the x-axis and rotate about the z-axis, while there is no translation along the y-axis. A low angular velocity is applied to the first block, designated as the active (driving) block, while the remaining blocks act as passive blocks. The results reveal a transition from reversible to irreversible passive block kinematics governed by contact friction and corner geometry. Reversible responses include rotation followed by full recovery or no rotation. The boundary between these types of behavior is defined by a linear relationship between the driving–passive and passive–passive contact friction coefficients, with the intercept related to block corner rounding. In contrast, irreversible kinematics characterized by residual rotation emerge only for highly rounded blocks. This behavior is restricted to short block chains with fewer than five blocks. These findings highlight the importance of considering both block elbowing and realistic block shape in modeling blocky rock mass, especially systems governed by the interaction of only a few blocks.

Highlights

Block corner rounding influences block kinetics through elbowing.

Chains of elbowing rounded blocks exhibit three distinct passive block motion types.

Block rounding induces a previously unreported rotation pattern characterized by residual rotations.

The proposed model offers a more reliable basis for understanding block motion and system behavior.