Unwedge v. 4.

0
Tutorial 2 | Scaling Wedges

Topics Covered:

Scaling by using Persistence

and Trace Length
Scaling Tunnel Length
Scaling Wedge Size
Scaling All Wedges
Scaling Individual Wedges
Safety factor and Scaling

Unwedge v. 4.0 Tutorial Manual

Tutorial 2: Scaling Wedges

Introduction
Unwedge always initially calculates the maximum sized wedges which can form around an
excavation.
This tutorial demonstrates how to scale down the size of the wedges, to represent the actual
size of wedges observed in the field. We will demonstrate two methods of wedge scaling in
this tutorial.
Wedge scaling is important because the assumed wedge size can have a significant effect
on support requirements (e.g. pattern spacing, positioning or orientation of bolts, and the
thickness or strength of shotcrete).

The Model
The model represents a section of an underground spiral access ramp.
For this tutorial we will start by reading in the file Tutorial 02 Scaling Wedges.weg which
you should find in the Unwedge 4.0 Examples > Tutorials folder in your Unwedge installation
folder.
Select: File > Recent Folders > Tutorials Folder, or use the drop-down arrow on the Open
toolbar button to choose the tutorials folder.
Select the Tutorial 02 Scaling Wedges.weg file.
The model should appear as follows.
As you can see, all of the Perimeter Wedges (roof, sides and floor wedges) are the maximum
possible size for the excavation cross-section.
NOTE: the Plunge of the Tunnel Axis Orientation is 15 degrees, because the model represents
a section of an inclined ramp, rather than a horizontal tunnel.

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Scaling Wedges: Input Data Dialog

We will first scale the wedges using the options in the Input Data dialog.
Open the Input Data dialog by clicking on the button on the toolbar or through the Analysis
menu. Click on the General tab. We should note here that the length of the tunnel itself can
be scaled down in this tab. Lets assume the length of the tunnel is 10 m. Therefore, check
off the Tunnel Length box and enter a length of 10 m, as shown. Click Apply to see the
changes. The length of the tunnel should now be 10 m.

Joint Structure Continuity : Persistence and Trace Length

We will now scale the wedges themselves using persistence and trace length.
Select the Joint Properties tab. In the Joint Properties 1 tab, under Joint Structure, change
the Continuity from Infinite to Persistence. We will use the default 5 m persistence. Select
OK.
All wedges should now have been scaled, as shown below.

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Click on the Filter List button on the sidebar. Select the Defaults button to ensure the default
data is displayed. Then check off Scaled By as well as Joint Persistence. Select OK.

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We can see in the sidebar that all wedges have been scaled by Joint 1, as defined in the
Input Data dialog. The Joint Persistence for Joint 1 of each wedge is 5 m, as expected.

We will now scale the wedges using the Joint 2 Trace Length.
Open the Input Data dialog by clicking on the button on the toolbar or through the Analysis
menu. Select the Joint Properties tab. Click on Joint Properties 3 on the left of the dialog.
Change the Joint Structure Continuity from Infinite to Trace Length and enter a trace length
of 3 m as shown. Select OK.

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Now click on the Filter List button again and check off Joint Trace Lengths as well. Select
OK.
On the sidebar, you should now see that all four wedges have been scaled by the Joint 3
trace length of 3 m. Because the trace length we entered for Joint 3 resulted in smaller
wedges than the Persistence we entered for Joint 1, Unwedge has scaled all wedges by the
Joint 3 trace length.

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Tutorial 2: Scaling Wedges

Scaling Wedges: Advanced

The Scale Wedges option from the Analysis menu provides a more advanced way of scaling
wedges
Select: Analysis > Scale Wedges
You will see the Scale Wedges dialog.

In this dialog, wedge size can be scaled according to joint trace length, joint persistence or
wedge data (e.g. volume, face area etc). Although we can enter multiple scaling parameters
at the same time, lets enter parameters one at a time, to see the results at each step.
Select the Joint 1 (Trace Length) checkbox, and enter a Scaling Value of 4 meters. Select OK.

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You will notice that all of the Joint 1 trace lengths displayed in the sidebar have stayed
the same. This is because we have already scaled Joint 1 with a trace length of 3 m, and
Unwedge will choose the smallest wedge size when several different scaling values are
imputed. This demonstrates that the Scale Wedges dialog works in conjunction with the
scaling options in the Input Data dialog.
To indicate that scaling has been applied to a wedge, the letter s is displayed beside the
wedge number (e.g. the roof wedge is numbered 8s). If you do not see the wedge numbers,
go to Display Options, select the Wedge Views tab, and make sure the Wedge Numbers
checkbox is selected.
At this point, we should note the following:

When we use the All Wedges scaling option (in the Scale Wedges dialog), this does not
necessarily mean that all wedges will be scaled (i.e. reduced in size). It means that all
wedges will be CONSIDERED for scaling. Wedges will only be scaled if their current
dimensions are larger than one of the scaling parameters. If the parameters of a wedge
are already smaller than the scaling parameters, then the wedge will not be affected by
the scaling.

Now lets enter one more scaling parameter.

Select: Analysis > Scale Wedges
In the Scale Wedges dialog, select the Joint 2 (Trace Length) checkbox, and enter a Scaling
Value of 2.8 meters. Select OK.
Look at the Wedge Info panel in the Sidebar. The results are now as follows:

For the Floor Wedge and the Roof Wedge, Scaled By = Joint 2 Trace Length, and Joint 2
Trace Length = 2.8 meters.

For the Lower Left and Lower Right wedges, Scaled By = Joint 3 Trace Length, and Joint
3 Trace Length = 3 meters.

For the Floor and Roof wedges, the Joint 2 trace length (scaling value) is now the governing
parameter.
For the Lower Left and Lower Right wedges, the Joint 3 trace length (scaling value) is still
the governing parameter, since the Joint 2 trace lengths are already less than 2.8 meters,
therefore the Joint 2 trace length scaling value does not affect these wedges.
This illustrates the following important points:

When you enter more than one Scaling Value, a given wedge is ultimately scaled by only
one parameter the parameter which gives the smallest wedge size.

Furthermore, if Wedges to Scale = All Wedges (in the Scale Wedges dialog), and you have
entered multiple scaling values, the governing scaling parameter can be different for
different wedges.

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Position of a Scaled Wedge

For perimeter wedges which span multiple segments of the Opening Section (e.g. the Roof
wedge in this example), Unwedge uses an algorithm which searches for the wedge with the
maximum volume for the given Scaling Value(s). An iterative process is required to find this
wedge. This determines the position of the scaled wedge on the perimeter.
For wedges which are formed on a single flat surface of the excavation boundary, the
searching algorithm is not applicable, and the scaled wedge position will be approximately
centered on the surface.

Scaling Individual Wedges

So far in this tutorial, we have considered all wedges for scaling, using the same set of
scaling values.
It is also possible to consider individual wedges for scaling. This allows you to enter
independent scaling values for any desired wedge(s). To select individual wedges for
scaling:

You can select the desired wedge from the Wedge to Scale drop-list in the Scale Wedges
dialog.

You can also right-click directly on a wedge, and select Scale Wedge for that particular
wedge from the popup menu, as shown in the following figure. This will display the Scale
Wedges dialog with the wedge already selected in the dialog.

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For example:
1. Right-click on the Roof Wedge, and select Scale Wedge: 8 Roof from the popup menu, as
shown in the following figure.
2. In the Scale Wedges dialog, select the Joint 2 Trace Length checkbox and enter a scaling
value of 2 meters. Select OK.

3. Now look at the Wedge Info panel. The Roof wedge is now scaled by the Joint 2 Trace
Length = 2 meters. All other wedges are still scaled as before.
You can scale any or all wedges individually, in this manner. When you select individual
wedges to scale, the Scaling Value parameters are entered independently for each wedge,
and the dialog will remember the Scaling Values you have entered for each wedge.
NOTE: if you specify Scaling Values for All Wedges, AND for individual wedges, at the same
time in the Scale Wedges dialog, the program will use the Scaling Value which gives the
smallest wedge, for any given wedge.

Resetting the Maximum Wedge Size

To reset all wedges to the maximum size, select the Maximize button in the Scale Wedges
dialog. This will clear all of the Scaling Values, for All Wedges and also for any individual
wedge Scaling Values you have entered. However, it will NOT clear the Persistence and
Trace Length values entered in the Input Data dialog.

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Safety Factor and Scaling

We will now briefly discuss the effect of scaling the wedge size on the wedge safety factor
and support requirements.

Effect of Joint Strength

Frictional Strength Only if the shear strength of the joint planes is purely frictional
(cohesion = 0), then changing the size of an unsupported wedge will NOT change the
safety factor. You can verify this for the current example (the Joint Shear Strength of all
joints is given by Phi = 30 degrees, cohesion = 0).

Friction and Cohesion if the shear strength of the joint planes includes a non-zero
cohesion, then the safety factor of a wedge will, in general, depend on the size of the
wedge.

Other parameters water pressure, field stress and other parameters can also influence
the dependence of wedge size and safety factor.

Support
If support has been applied to a wedge (e.g. bolts or shotcrete), then in general, changing
the size of a wedge will affect the safety factor. This can be due to several factors:

The wedge size may affect the number of bolts which intersect a wedge (pattern
bolting).

The wedge size will affect the relative embedded lengths of a bolt. For a bonded bolt, the
length which passes through the wedge, and the length embedded in the rock mass will
determine the support force applied to the wedge.

If shotcrete has been applied, then the wedge size will have a direct effect on the
exposed perimeter length of the wedge face. This has a direct effect on the support
force which is applied by the shotcrete.

In conclusion, wedge scaling is of particular importance during support design, since the
assumed wedge size can have a significant effect on the pattern spacing, positioning or
orientation of bolts, and the thickness or strength of shotcrete.
Wedge support is discussed in the next tutorial.
This concludes the tutorial on scaling wedge size in Unwedge.

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