DFN: An Emerging Tool for Stochastic Modelling and Geomechanical Design

The discrete fracture networks (DFN) have become indispensable tools for geomechanical modelling of jointed rock masses. technology creates a three-dimensional (3D) representation geometry used in the construction surface and subsurface engineering projects mining, civil engineering, fracturing reservoir oil gas industry. approach depends on accuracy data obtained during site investigation to create models that represent structure. better acquired information available, stochastic analysis determines applications designs can be carried out. Therefore, it is important use instruments capture distribution characteristics such as intensity, orientation, spatial distribution, length, aperture, size. This study provides detailed review recent advances application DFN masses different applications. paper shows principles DFN, including various data-capturing methodologies, general fields. Several case studies where method was applied are presented paper. These include evaluation slope an open pit mine, discontinuity tunneling, stability coal seam longwall, design high-level radioactive waste, prediction groundwater flow, petroleum reservoirs, geothermal cracking shale bed. However, despite versatility technique, there still some limitations challenges integration complexities encountered within models.