Rocscience International Conference 2025 is going to take place in Sydney, Australia Read more

Search Results

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:

  1. Select: File > New New file
Opening Section Model View
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.

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 Project Settings Icon 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. Project Settings Dialog - General Tab

  6. Set the Sampling Method = Latin HyperCube.
  7. Set the Number of Samples = 1000.
  8. Project Settings Dialog - Sampling Tab

  9. Select OK to close the dialog.
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 Add Opening Section Icon on the toolbar or the Boundaries menu.
  2. Type "i" into the prompt line followed by ENTER.
  3. Enter Vertex Prompt

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

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

Enter Circle Center Prompt

The Opening Section view should look like this:

Opening Section Model View
Opening Section Model View
Automation will abort if the Opening Section does not exist.

5.0 Input Data

Next, set the optional input data.

  1. Select Input Data Input Data Icon from the Analysis menu to open the Deterministic Input Data dialog.
  2. Navigate to the General tab.
  3. 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

    Input Data Dialog - General Tab

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

    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

    Input Data Dialog - Joint Orientations Tab

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

    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

    Input Data Dialog - Joint Properties Tab

  8. Select OK to close the dialog.
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 Joint Orientations Icon 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.
  5. Joint Orientations Statistics Dialog

    Keep in mind that the Standard Deviation has to be specified later on in the Input Excel File for all three joints:

  6. 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.
  2. 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
    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.

  3. 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:
  4. 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

    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:

    General Excel Worksheet

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:
  4. 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

    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

    Joint1 Orientation Worksheet

  5. Navigate to the JOINT2 ORIENTATION worksheet.
  6. Under the Tunnel ID column, provide the names of the tunnels (Trend00, Trend10, ... Trend 90).
  7. Enter the following:
  8. 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

    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

    Joint2 Orientation Worksheet

  9. Navigate to the JOINT3 ORIENTATION worksheet.
  10. Under the Tunnel ID column, provide the names of the tunnels (Trend00, Trend10, ... Trend 90).
  11. Enter the following:
  12. 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

    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

    Joint3 Orientation Worksheet


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:
  4. 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

    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:

    Prop1 Strength Excel Worksheet

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:
  4. 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

    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:

    Prop1 Water Excel Worksheet

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:
  4. 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

    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:

    Prop1 Structure Excel Worksheet


  • 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.
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 Excel Icon from the Analysis menu to open the Automated Compute dialog.
    Automated Compute Dialog
  2. Select the Open Folder Icon 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.Automated Compute Dialog - Files in Queue

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 Calculator Icon button to start the automated computing process.
  2. 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.

    Automated Compute Dialog - Completed Files

  3. 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.

  1. 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.

Probabilistic Values Sheet

The Field Stress sheet contains global field stress information shared across all wedges.

Field Stress Sheet

There are 10 sheets which contain wedge-specific information, including values computed at each of their three joints.

View of 10 Excel Worksheets Tab

Excel Data Results

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.

Rocscience logo, click here to return to the homepage Portal Account Portal Account Log In Log Out Home Shopping Cart icon Click here to search our site Click here to close Learning Tech Support Documentation Info Chevron Delete Back to Top View More" Previous Next PDF File Calendar Location Language Fees Video Click here to visit Rocscience's LinkedIn page Click here to visit Rocscience's YouTube page Click here to visit Rocscience's X page Click here to visit Rocscience's Facebook page Click here to visit Rocscience's Instagram page Click here to visit Rocscience's Reddit page Bookmark Network Scroll down for more Checkmark Download Print Back to top Single User Multiple Users RSLog RocFall3 CPillar Dips EX3 RocFall RocPlane RocSlope3 RocSupport RocTopple RS2 RS3 RSData RSPile RSWall Settle3 Slide2 Slide3 SWedge UnWedge RocTunnel3 RocSlope2 BlastMetrix ShapeMetriX Fragmenter TestLicense Commercial License Education License Trial License Shop safe & secure Money-back guarantee