UnWedge User Guide Overview Documentation Tutorials Verification & Theory

14 - Automate Probabilistic Analysis

1.0 Introduction
The Automate Compute option helps users quickly generate results for several UnWedge analysis
cases at a time by reading in various model inputs from Excel. In this tutorial, we will familiarize you
with the Automate Compute feature by automating the computation of 10 Probabilistic analysis
cases, each case with 1,000 samples (i.e., 10 x 1,000 = 10,000 tunnel analyses).

Topics Covered in this Tutorial:

Probabilistic Analysis UnWedge Model

Input Excel File Format
Adding Input Excel File(s) to Automate Compute File Queue
Output UnWedge Automate Compute Results File

Finished Product:

The finished products of this tutorial can be found in the Tutorial 14 Automate Compute -
Probabilistic Analysis folder, located in the Examples > Tutorials folder in your UnWedge
installation folder. Inside, you will find:

Tutorial 14 Automate Compute - Probabilistic_base file.weg5 UnWedge model file setup for
automation
Tutorial 14 Automate Compute - Probabilistic_inputs.xlsx Excel input file
Tutorial 14 Automate Compute - Probabilistic_inputs folder containing the computed results
files

2.0 Creating a New File

1. If you have not already done so, run the UnWedge program by double-clicking the UnWedge
icon in your installation folder or by selecting Programs > Rocscience > UnWedge >
UnWedge in the Windows Start menu.

When the program starts, a default model is automatically created. If you do NOT see a model on
your screen:

2. Select: File > New

Opening Section Model View

If the UnWedge application window is not already maximized, maximize it now so that the full
screen is available for viewing the model.

Before we are ready to run Automate Compute, we must first set up the model environment in the
following dialogs:

1. Project Settings
2. Input Data
3. Field Stress
4. Scale Wedge

In addition, the tunnel geometry must be defined (i.e., Opening Section).

Apply any other Boundaries (i.e., Ground Surface, Truncation Surface, End Truncation Plane), Water
Pressure Grid, or Supports, as required; these are not automatable.

Note

This UnWedge model file is meant to be used as a base file for automation. It contains the
appropriate settings to be used for all automated cases and the engine for computation. It is
not meant to be used for model creation and result viewing, as it does not save the model
state for every case.

3.0 Project Settings

First, set the model Units, Analysis Type, and Sampling.

1. Select Project Settings from the Analysis menu to open the Project Settings dialog.
2. Set the Units = Metric, stress as MPa .
 3. Set the Analysis Type = Probabilistic.
4. Set Wedge Computation to Compute End Wedges.

5. Set the Sampling Method = Latin HyperCube.

6. Set the Number of Samples = 1000.

7. Select OK to close the dialog.

Note

The above Project Settings will apply to all cases analyzed in Automate Compute. Each case
being analyzed is Probabilistic (i.e., 1,000 sample tunnels, as defined) in this case.

4.0 Model Geometry

We will start by defining the tunnel opening section.
 1. Select Add Opening Section on the toolbar or the Boundaries menu.
2. Type "i" into the prompt line followed by ENTER.

3. In the Circle Options dialog:

4. Select Circle definition method = Center and radius.
5. Set the Radius = 10.
6. Select Circle to polyline conversion method = Number of segments.
7. Set the Number of segments = 40.
8. Select OK to close the dialog.

9. Type the circle centre " 0,0" into the prompt line followed by ENTER to draw the circle.

The Opening Section view should look like this:

Opening Section Model View

Note

Automation will abort if the Opening Section does not exist.

5.0 Input Data
Next, set the optional input data.

1. Select Input Data from the Analysis menu to open the Deterministic Input Data dialog.
2. Navigate to the General tab.
We will keep all the checkbox controls in the default state. Keep in mind that the following are
required input parameters that have to be specified later on in the Input Excel File (mean
values):

Tunnel Trend
Tunnel Plunge
Design Factor of Safety
Unit Weight of Rock
Unit Weight of Water

3. Navigate to the Joint Orientations tab.

By default, there are three joints defined in the Joint Orientations table. We will keep the
default joints and their Properties (Joint Properties 1).

Note

When exactly three joints are defined in the model, all three Joint Orientations are
automated by the Excel template. If more than three joints are defined, Joint Orientations
are not automated and use the Joint Orientations defined in the Input Data dialog to
perform a combinations analysis.

Keep in mind that the following are required input parameters that have to be specified later on
in the Input Excel File for all three joints (mean values):
 Joint Dip
Joint Dip Direction

4. Navigate to the Joint Properties tab.

By default, one property is already defined (Joint Properties 1). We will leave all the dropdown
controls in the default state.

Note

Up to three Joint Properties can be automated by the Excel template. Automation will only
apply to the first three Joint Properties defined.

Keep in mind that the following are required input parameters that have to be specified later on
in the Input Excel File for Property 1 (mean values):

Phi
Cohesion
Tensile Strength
Water Pressure
Waviness
 5. Select OK to close the dialog.

Note

You can learn about UnWedge input data in detail in Overview of UnWedge Input Data.

6.0 Statistic
Next, set the statistical variables.

1. Select Joint Orientations from the Statistics menu.

2. In the Joint Orientation Statistics dialog:
3. Set Joint 1, Joint 2, and Joint 3 to Use Fisher Distribution.
4. Leave Option = Standard Deviation for all three joints.
 Keep in mind that the Standard Deviation has to be specified later on in the Input Excel File for
all three joints:

5. Select OK to close the dialog.

7.0 Input Excel File

Now, let's take a look at the structure of the input Excel file.

1. Obtain the UnWedge Probabilistic Excel Template by selecting Analysis > Automate Compute
> Probabilistic Excel Template from the menu.
A Read-Only Excel workbook titled UnWedge Automation Template_Probabilistic.xlsx will be
automatically opened (if you have Excel installed on your local machine).

Guidance Notes Worksheet

The UnWedge Probabilistic Input Data Automation Template Excel workbook and
worksheets are protected to prevent any accidental modification to the tab structure and
headers. The input Excel template contains 15 worksheets for inputting numerical parameters
for automation.

2. Create a folder called Tutorial 14 Automate Compute - Probabilistic.

7.1 General
1. Navigate to the GENERAL worksheet.
2. Under the Tunnel ID column, provide the names of the tunnel analyses. We will name them
arbitrarily Tunnel A, Tunnel B, and Tunnel C. Each row in the input Excel file represents one
Deterministic Analysis case in UnWedge.
3. Enter the following:

Tunnel ID Tunnel Design Factor of Safety Unit Weight

Trend Plunge Rock Water

Trend00 0 0 1 0.026 0.00981

Trend10 10 0 1 0.026 0.00981

Trend20 20 0 1 0.026 0.00981

Trend30 30 0 1 0.026 0.00981

Trend40 40 0 1 0.026 0.00981

Trend50 50 0 1 0.026 0.00981

Trend60 60 0 1 0.026 0.00981

Trend70 70 0 1 0.026 0.00981

Trend80 80 0 1 0.026 0.00981

Trend90 90 0 1 0.026 0.00981

Note

As set up previously in the UnWedge Probabilistic Input Data dialog, only the above input
data are required since Tunnel Length, Seismic Force, and Minimum Wedge Size are not
applicable (i.e., checkbox controls are unchecked). Be aware of units set in UnWedge
Project Settings when entering data into the input Excel file. The units should be the
same for both!

The GENERAL worksheet should look like this:

7.2 Joint Orientation
1. Navigate to the JOINT1 ORIENTATION worksheet.
2. Under the Tunnel ID column, provide the names of the tunnels (Trend00, Trend10, ... Trend
90).
3. Enter the following:

Tunnel ID Joint 1 Orientation

Dip Dip Direction Fisher

Mean Mean Std. Dev.

Trend00 40 170 15

Trend10 40 170 15

Trend20 40 170 15

Trend30 40 170 15

Trend40 40 170 15

Trend50 40 170 15

Trend60 40 170 15

Trend70 40 170 15

Trend80 40 170 15
 Trend90 40 170 15

Note

As set up previously in the UnWedge Input Data dialog, all three Joint Orientations will be
automated.

The JOINT1 ORIENTATION worksheet should look like this

4. Navigate to the JOINT2 ORIENTATION worksheet.

5. Under the Tunnel ID column, provide the names of the tunnels (Trend00, Trend10, ... Trend
90).
6. Enter the following:

Tunnel ID Joint 2 Orientation

Dip Dip Direction Fisher

Mean Mean Std. Dev.

Trend00 40 50 15

Trend10 40 50 15

Trend20 40 50 15

Trend30 40 50 15
 Trend40 40 50 15

Trend50 40 50 15

Trend60 40 50 15

Trend70 40 50 15

Trend80 40 50 15

Trend90 40 50 15

Note

As set up previously in the UnWedge Input Data dialog, all three Joint Orientations will be
automated.

The JOINT2 ORIENTATION worksheet should look like this

7. Navigate to the JOINT3 ORIENTATION worksheet.

8. Under the Tunnel ID column, provide the names of the tunnels (Trend00, Trend10, ... Trend
90).
9. Enter the following:

Tunnel ID Joint 3 Orientation

Dip Dip Direction Fisher

 Mean Mean Std. Dev.

Trend00 40 280 15

Trend10 40 280 15

Trend20 40 280 15

Trend30 40 280 15

Trend40 40 280 15

Trend50 40 280 15

Trend60 40 280 15

Trend70 40 280 15

Trend80 40 280 15

Trend90 40 280 15

Note

As set up previously in the UnWedge Input Data dialog, all three Joint Orientations will be
automated.

The JOINT3 ORIENTATION worksheet should look like this

6.3 Joint Strength
1. Navigate to the PROP1 STRENGTH worksheet.
2. Under the Tunnel ID column, provide the names of the tunnels (Trend00, Trend10, …, Trend
90).
3. Enter the following:

Tunnel ID Property 1 Strength

Friction Angle Cohesion Tensile Strength

Mean Mean Mean

Trend00 35 0 0

Trend10 35 0 0

Trend20 35 0 0

Trend30 35 0 0

Trend40 35 0 0

Trend50 35 0 0

Trend60 35 0 0
 Trend70 35 0 0

Trend80 35 0 0

Trend90 35 0 0

Note

As set up previously in the UnWedge Input Data dialog, only the above input data are
required since only one Joint Property is defined. No inputs are required for PROP2
STRENGTH or PROP3 STRENGTH worksheets,

The PROP1 STRENGTH worksheet should look like this:

6.4 Joint Water Pressure

1. Navigate to the PROP1 WATER worksheet.
2. Under the Tunnel ID column, provide the names of the tunnels (Trend00, Trend10, …, Trend 90
).
3. Enter the following:
Tunnel ID Property 1 Water Pressure

Pressure

Mean

Trend00 0
 Trend10 0

Trend20 0

Trend30 0

Trend40 0

Trend50 0

Trend60 0

Trend70 0

Trend80 0

Trend90 0

Note

As set up previously in the UnWedge Input Data dialog, only the above input data are
required since only one Joint Property is defined. No inputs are required for PROP2
WATER or PROP3 WATER worksheets.

The PROP1 WATER worksheet should look like this:

6.5 Joint Structure
1. Navigate to the PROP1 STRUCTURE worksheet.
2. Under the Tunnel ID column, provide the names of the tunnels (Trend00, Trend10, …, Trend
90).
3. Enter the following:

Tunnel ID Property 1 Structure

Waviness

Mean

Trend00 0

Trend10 0

Trend20 0

Trend30 0

Trend40 0

Trend50 0

Trend60 0

Trend70 0

Trend80 0

Trend90 0

Note

As set up previously in the UnWedge Input Data dialog, only the above input data are
required since only one Joint Property is defined. No inputs are required for PROP2
STRUCTURE or PROP3 STRUCTURE worksheets.

The PROP1 STRUCTURE worksheet should look like this:

 We do not need to enter any data in the FIELD STRESS, or SCALE WEDGE worksheets since
those are not applicable.
Save the Excel file as Tutorial 14 Automate Compute - Probabilistic_inputs.xlsx to the Tutorial
14 Automate Compute - Probabilistic folder previously created.

Note

Since the UnWedge Automation Template_Probabilistic.xlsx file is Read-Only, you must

rename and save it in a new location.

We are now ready to automate computations in UnWedge by reading from the input Excel file.

8.0 Automate from Excel

Return to the UnWedge model.

The Automate Compute dialog allows you to add Excel input automation files to the queue, select
an output format, and compute the results.

8.1 ADD FILES TO FILE QUEUE

To add multiple files to the File Queue:

1. Select Automate from Excel from the Analysis menu to open the Automated Compute
dialog.
2. Select the Open button to open a standard dialog to choose an Excel input file. Navigate
to the Tutorial 14 Automate Compute - Probabilistic folder and select the Tutorial 14
Automate Compute - Probabilistic_inputs.xlsx file.
You will see the Excel input file appear under the File Queue list box.
3. Select the Save As UnWedge File(s) checkbox. This will save each automated compute case
as an UnWedge file.
9.0 Output Result Files
Results files are automatically generated and saved into the same directory as the input Excel file
after Automated Compute is complete. Before we run Compute, first ensure that the Output File
Format is set to the desired format. Users can select from either Text File or Excel format.

9.1 EXCEL FILE FORMAT

While still in the Automated Compute dialog:

1. Select the Compute button to start the automated computing process.

The Total Progress can be seen at the bottom of the dialog. When files have finished
computing, they will appear in the Completed Files list box.
 2. When all files have finished computing, select Exit to close the dialog.

For each input Excel file case, an Excel file (*.xlsx) containing all results data is generated.

For a Probabilistic Analysis (Tutorial 14 Automate Compute - Probabilistic_inputs.xlsx), the results

data for each case are output to a separate Excel file since each case tends to contain hundreds or
thousands of tunnel samples. Inside each Excel file, results for all probabilistic tunnel samples are
outputted following the header row. Each row of data represents one sample case. Each data type
is separated by column.

3. Take a look at the ResultsTrend00[0].xlsx result file.

The Probabilistic Values sheet contains global tunnel, design, unit weight, and seismic information
shared across all wedges.

The Field Stress sheet contains global field stress information shared across all wedges.
There are 10 sheets which contain wedge-specific information, including values computed at each
of their three joints.

Note that a total of 10 files with the same format (i.e., ResultsTrend00[0].xlsx,
ResultsTrend10[1].xlsx, ..., ResultsTrend90[9].xlsx ) have been created; one file per case. Each file
contains information for all 1,000 samples.

10.0 Error Log

As you may have noticed, an Error Log is also generated for each input Excel file. For each input
Excel file, an Error Log text file (Automate Compute Error Log.txt) is generated and saved into the
same directory as the output file directories. Always check that the Error Log reports "No errors
found" before post-processing the raw results data. If any errors do occur as a result of missing
(i.e., blank cells) or invalid inputs, the Error Log will indicate which worksheet(s) and cell(s) are
problematic.
This concludes the tutorial. You are now ready for the next tutorial, Tutorial 15 - Tunnel Orientations
Analysis in UnWedge.