Accelerating strategies to the numerical simulation of large-scale models for sequential excavation

In this paper, a novel combination of well-established numerical procedures is explored in order to accelerate the simulation of sequential excavation. Usually, large-scale models are used to represent these problems. Due to the high number of equations involved, the solver algorithm represents the critical aspect which makes the simulation very time consuming. The mutable nature of the excavation models makes this problem even more pronounced. To accomplish the representation of geometrical and mechanical aspects in an efficient and simple manner, the proposed solution employs the boundary element method with a multiple-region strategy. Together with this representational system, a segmented storage scheme and a time-ordered tracking of the changes form an adequate basis for the usage of fast updating methods instead of frontal solvers. The present development employs the Sherman-Morrison-Woodbury method to speed up the calculation due to sequential changes. The efficiency of the proposed framework is illustrated through the simulation of test examples of 2D and 3D models. Copyright (C) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.