Automatic back analysis of mechanical parameters using block discrete element method and PSO algorithm

Abstract

This article presents a novel automatic PSO-based back analysis method for mechanical parameters of block discrete element method. Incorporating particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and recursive algorithm, a parameter back-analysis program is developed. Two cases, a laboratory test of columnar jointed rock mass and a typical landslide, are implemented for validation. The results show that the proposed method is feasible and accurate. As an automatic solution for parameter back analysis, this work has broad application prospects in geotechnical engineering.

Keywords:

• Automatic back analysis method
• PSO algorithm
• discrete element method
• parameter back-analysis program

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work presented in this article is supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2017YFC1501100), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 11772116, 51939004, 51679069, 51709089) and the Qing Lan Project.