Discontinuous modelling of cohesive-frictional blocky materials

There are many similarities and unifying aspects between the seemingly different discontinuous modelling frameworks and formulations (Discrete Element Method DEM, Combined DEM/FEM, MDEM Modified Distinct Element Method, Discontinuous Deformation Analysis DDA, Non Smooth Contact Dynamics NSCD, Stress Based DEM). This is reflected in the manner they deal with the characterisation of bodies geometry and the contact detection, with the imposition of contact constraints and boundary conditions, with the definition and description of bodies deformability, fracturing and fragmentation, the transition from continua to discontinua as well as the associated time stepping algorithms... Some modelling aspects and illustrative applications of three specific discontinuous computational frameworks will be considered rigid body spring method (RBSM), discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) and non-smooth contact dynamics (NSCD) applicable for analyses of solids and structures with both existing and/or emerging discontinuities, where the contact interfaces follow a cohesive-frictional constitutive law