Statistical model for structure of jointed rock mass

It is well known that the engineering behaviour of rock mass is strongly affected by its structure. Therefore a suitable method and model to describe the structure of rock mass are the basis of rock mechanics.

A number of scientists have devoted themselves to the research of rock mass structure and its mechanical effects during recent decades. Priest & Hudson (1976, 1981) and Hudson & Priest (1983) advanced geometrical probability methods to measure and analyse the frequency, spacings and trace lengths of discontinuities in homogeneous rock mass. Kulatilake & Wu (1984) introduced their statistical window method to measure and...