Page 243 - The Combined Finite-Discrete Element Method

226 SENSITIVITY TO INITIAL CONDITIONS

Figure 6.15 Bouncing from the top.

Figure 6.16 Bouncing from the bottom of the box.

obtained for systems comprising a handful of discrete elements. As the system gets larger
and discrete elements get packed closer together, each discrete element is constrained by
neighbouring discrete elements, and the overall behaviour of the combined finite-discrete
element system may get less sensitive to initial conditions.
The motion of a particular discrete element may still be sensitive to initial conditions,
but the overall behaviour of the system may be considered not sensitive to initial con-
ditions. For instance, if one makes an X mark on the face of an intact rock mass, it is
almost impossible to predict where the rock piece containing this mark will land after the
blasting operation. However it is reasonable to expect that the shape of the blast-pile will
be predicted with a degree of accuracy.