Tensor visualizations in computational geomechanics

• Published in: International journal for numerical and analytical methods in geomechanics Vol. 26; no. 10; pp. 925 - 944
• Main Authors: Jeremić, Boris, Scheuermann, Gerik, Frey, Jan, Yang, Zhaohui, Hamann, Bernd, Joy, Kenneth I., Hagen, Hans
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 25-08-2002; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Computation methods. Tables. Charts; computational geomechanics; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Engineering geology; Exact sciences and technology; Geotechnics; Soil mechanics. Rocks mechanics; Structural analysis. Stresses; tensor visualization; Finite element method; Visualization; Three dimensional model; Grid pattern; Rock mechanics; Stress distribution; Numerical simulation; Principal stress; Tensor method; Geotechnics
• ISSN: 0363-9061; 1096-9853
• DOI: 10.1002/nag.223

We present a novel technique for visualizing tensors in three dimensional (3D) space. Of particular interest is the visualization of stress tensors resulting from 3D numerical simulations in computational geomechanics. To this end we present three different approaches to visualizing tensors in 3D space, namely hedgehogs, hyperstreamlines and hyperstreamsurfaces. We also present a number of examples related to stress distributions in 3D solids subjected to single and load couples. In addition, we present stress visualizations resulting from single‐pile and pile‐group computations. The main objective of this work is to investigate various techniques for visualizing general Cartesian tensors of rank 2 and it's application to geomechanics problems. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.