Recent insights into analytical precision and modelling of DDA and NMM for practical problems

Numerical instability in Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) is primarily caused by the loss of effective digits when superposing global stiffness matrices under varying block conditions, a critical insight that enhances the precision and reliability of structural analysis for masonry heritage sites. The study evaluates DDA and Non-smooth Model Method (NMM) through practical applications, including static analyses of the Pont du Gard aqueduct, dynamic rockfall simulations, and seismic response assessments of rock slopes. By comparing these methods with site observations at UNESCO World Heritage Sites—such as the Great Pyramid in Egypt, the Bayon Temple in Cambodia, and the Pont du Gard in France—the research demonstrates their applicability and reliability for heritage conservation challenges.

Ohnishi, Y., Sasaki, T., Koyama, T., Hagiwara, I., Miki, S., & Shimauchi, T. (2014). Recent insights into analytical precision and modelling of DDA and NMM for practical problems. Geomechanics and Geoengineering, 9(2), 97–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2013.871066