Validating 3-D numerical models of rock fracture with laboratory and field scale studies

The study of rock fracture is important in understanding earthquakes and how microcracks contribute to reducing the strength and changing behaviour of critical engineering structures. Numerical computer models are a powerful tool for the investigation of rock fracture, especially when combined with observational validations. The European Commission Euratom research project, SAFETI, has developed and tested an innovative 3-D numerical modelling procedure for simulating nuclear waste repositories in rock. The code is called AC/DC (Adaptive Continuum/DisContinuum). As part of this project, geophysical validation has been conducted, in the laboratory and at field-scale studies. The paper presents example results obtained during the experiments and show comparisons to the computer models undertaken using AC/DC which have many similarities to the measured data.