Physical Modelling in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering

Abstract

The paper presented at the International Congress and this extended version are intended to pay homage to Professor Leopold Müller who was a leading developer and user of physical models. This will be done by first reviewing physical models of stone-built artificial structures from ancient times till now being used to investigate the flow of forces and the effect of material properties. The same issues affect rock mechanics and engineering. Consequently, physical Querymodels of fundamental material behavior, geologic mechanisms, and especially jointed rock will then be described. On this basis complex models of geologic processes and of structures on and in rock masses will be discussed. Finally, critical aspects, namely, the issues of scaling and of possible obsolescence because of powerful simulation models, will be addressed leading to the outlook where physical models can and should be used.