A Contact Rheological Model Embedded in Distinct Element Method

A numerical model embedded in Distinct Element Method(DEM) was presented for simulation of contact rheological behavior in rocks. Based on the basic frame of DEM, the rheological constitutive equation and equivalent incremental contact force were introduced and embedded in the current calculation procedure of DEM. Then the responses of discrete blocks due to rheological deformation of contact interfaces can be simulated. Comparison between the model calculation results and theoretical solutions of a simple benchmark problem shows that the presented model has excellent accuracy, and possesses significant potential for analyzing rheological responses of high rock slopes and blocky structures.