Influence of non-dimensional strength parameters on the seismic stability of cracked slopes

Cracks in rock or soil slopes influence the stability and durability of the slopes. Seismic forces can trigger slope disasters, particularly in the cracked slopes. Considering the nonlinear characteristics of materials, the more generalized nonlinear failure criterion proposed by Baker is adopted. The influence of non-dimensional strength parameters on the stability of cracked slopes under earthquakes is performed using the upper bound limit analysis. The seismic displacement is calculated by adopting the logarithmic spiral failure surface according to the sliding rigid block model. Based on the existing studies, two methods for the stability analysis of cracked slopes under earthquakes are introduced: the pseudo-static method(with the factor of safety(Fs) as an evaluation index), and the displacement-based method(with the seismic displacement as an evaluation index). The pseudo-static method can only determine the instantaneous stability state of the cracked slope, yet the displacement-based methodreflects the stability variation of cracked slopes during earthquakes. The results indicate that the nondimensional strength parameters affect the factor of safety and seismic displacement of slopes significantly. The non-dimensional strength parameter(n) controlling the curvature of strength function shapes on the slope stability is affected by other parameters. Owing to cracks, the effect of non-dimensional strength parameters on seismic displacement becomes more significant.     

Assessment of rock slope stability by probabilistic-based Slope Stability Probability Classification method along highway cut slopes in Adilcevaz-Bitlis (Turkey)

Rock slope stability is of great concern along highway routes as stability problems on cut slopes may cause fatal events as well as loss of property. In rock slope engineering, stability evaluations are commonly performed by means of analytical or numerical analyses, principally considering the factor of safety concept. As a matter of fact, the probabilistic assessment of slope stability is progressively getting popularity due to difficulties in assigning the most appropriate values to design parameters in analytical or numerical methods. Additionally, the effect of heterogeneities in rock masses and discontinuities on the analysis results is minimized through the probabilistic concept. In this study, slope stability of high and steep sedimentary rock cut slopes along a state highway in Adilcevaz-Bitlis (Turkey) was evaluated on the basis of probabilistic approach using the Slope Stability Probability Classification (SSPC) system. The probabilistic assessment indicates major slope stability problems because of discontinuity controlled and discontinuity orientation independent mass movements. Almost all studied cut slopes suffer from orientation-independent stability problems with very low stability probabilities. Additionally, the probability of planar and toppling failures is significantly high with respect to the SSPC system. The stability problems along the investigated rock slopes were also verified by field reconnaissance. Remedial measures such as slope re-design and reinforcement at the studied locations should be taken to prevent hazardous events along the highway. On the other hand, the probabilistic approach may be a useful tool during rock slope engineering to overcome numerous uncertainties when probabilistic and analytic results are compared.     

A new approach to plane failure of rock slope stability based on water flow velocity in discontinuities for the Latian dam reservoir landslide

The stability of slopes is always of great concern in the field of rock engineering. The geometry and orientation of pre-existing discontinuities show a larger impact on the behavior of slopes that is often used to describe the measurement of the steepness, incline, gradient, or grade of a straight line. One of the structurally controlled modes of failure in jointed rock slopes is plane failure. There are numerous analytical methods for the rock slope stability including limit equilibrium, stress analysis and stereographic methods. The limiting equilibrium methods for slopes under various conditions against plane failure have been previously proposed by several investigators. However, these methods do not involve water pressure on sliding surfaces assessments due to water velocity and have not yet been validated by case study results. This paper has tried to explore the effects of forces due to water pressure on discontinuity surfaces in plane failure through applying the improved equations. It has studied the effect of water flow velocity on sliding surfaces in safety factor, as well. New equations for considering water velocity (fluid dynamics) are presented. To check the validity of the suggested equations, safety factor for a case study has been determined. Results show that velocity of water flow had significant effect on the amount of safety factor. Also, the suggested equations have higher validity rate compared to the current equations.     

Experimental study of motion characteristics of rock slopes with weak intercalation under seismic excitation

In order to investigate the effect of a weak intercalation on slope stability, a large-scale shaking table model test was conducted to study the dynamic response of rock slope models with weak intercalation. The dynamic response of the prototype slopes were studied in laboratory with the consideration of law of similitude. The initiation failure was observed in the rock slope model with a counter-tilt thin-weak intercalation firstly, not in the slope model with a horizontal thin-weak intercalation. Furthermore, it was interesting that the fracture site is shifted from crest top to the slope surface near the weak intercalation, which is different with the location of failure position in a normal layered slope. We also discussed the effect of the dip angle and the thickness of weak intercalation on the failure mechanism and instability mode of the layered rock slope. From the experimental result, it was noted that the stability of the slope with a counter-tilt weak intercalation could be worse than that of the other slopes under seismic excitation. The findings showed the difference of failure in slopes with a horizontal and counter weak intercalation, and implicated the further evaluation of failure of layered slopes caused by seismic loads.     

Analytical expressions for determining the stability of cohesionless soil slope under generalized seismic conditions

In recent major earthquakes, the researchers have found the need for consideration of vertical seismic acceleration for the stability analysis of the man-made and natural slopes. However, in most past studies, the performance of slopes has been assessed by accounting only the horizontal seismic component of the ground motion, without giving due weightage to the effect of vertical component. In the present study, analytical expressions are derived to determine the factor of safety, yield seismic coefficient and consequently the seismic displacement of cohesionless soil slope under combined horizontal and vertical components of the ground motion. The derivation uses the Newmark’s sliding block approach, in which the soil slope with a planar failure surface within the framework of conventional pseudo-static analysis is assumed to follow the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. The effects of vertical seismic coefficient on the stability of cohesionless slope have been studied through a set of graphical presentations for a specific range of soil parameters. It is observed that overlooking the effect of the vertical component of the ground motion on factor of safety and the displacement while designing the slope may be detrimental, resulting in the slope failure. The general expressions presented in this paper may be highly useful in the field of earthquake geotechnical engineering practice for designing the cohesionless soil slopes under combined horizontal and vertical seismic loads.     

Rock slope stability evaluation using kinematic and kinetic methods along the Kamyaran-Marivan road,west of Iran

Interest in rock slope stability in mountainous regions has increased greatly in recent years.This issue has become a topic of major interest for geoscientists and engineering professionals,as well as for private citizens and local administrators,in many parts of the world.This paper evaluates the stability of seven rock slopes along the KamyaranMarivan tourist road,Kurdistan province,Iran,using various methods.The two main reasons for performing this research were to determine whether different methods of stability analysis provide the same results,and to determine how different factors such as the presence of water,tension cracks,and seismic forces affect the stability of these rock slopes.Firstly,field investigations were performed to obtain the engineering characteristics of the rock masses,discontinuities,and intact rocks of the slopes.Secondly,laboratory tests were carried out on rock samples obtained from the slopes,to determine the engineering properties of the intact rocks.Then for each rock slope,the contour diagram of discontinuities and slope face was drawn in the Dips v.5.1 software environment,and the failure mechanism was determined based on the kinematic or stereographic method.Next,the factors of safety of the rock slopes were calculated using the limit equilibrium method,based on the failure mechanisms resulting from the kinematic method.The accuracy of the results obtained by these two methods was investigated using SWedge v.4.0 software.The results indicated that four rock slopes have a potential for plane,wedge,and toppling failure,and three others are stable.Also,it was found that the stability of the studied rock slopes decreases greatly in the presence of water,tension cracks,and seismic forces.     

软硬互层顺层岩质边坡破坏试验

软硬互层结构的顺层岩质边坡破坏类型复杂、难于防治, 针对此类边坡地质灾害易发、多发的问题, 从坡面角度、岩层倾向及组合形式、节理分布等方面进行了研究。边坡物理模型试验是揭示边坡变形破坏机理的重要手段, 基于相似理论, 以重庆市万州区孙家滑坡为工程依托, 根据滑坡区地质勘探报告设计了室内边坡物理模型试验; 试验通过顶升模型箱模拟重力加载来探究顺层岩质边坡发生破坏时, 前缘坡角和软弱夹层倾角之间的关系; 结合有限元分析软件Plaxis 2D对物理模型进行了多组数值模拟试验, 以验证软硬互层顺层岩质边坡破坏机制。试验结果表明: 对于顺层岩质边坡, 当软弱夹层的倾角在22°左右, 前缘开挖坡角58°左右时, 顺层岩质边坡容易发生滑动, 滑动面为后缘节理面和软弱夹层的贯通面。因此, 顺层岩质边坡稳定性受层面和节理面密度的控制, 当边坡含多层软弱层面时, 易沿层面和后缘节理贯通面发生破坏, 随着软弱面层数增加, 边坡稳定系数逐渐降低。研究成果可以为公路开挖切坡导致的顺层岩质边坡失稳机理研究及其稳定性评价提供理论依据, 为顺层岩质边坡失稳的预测预报提供支撑。      

Evaluation of the possible slip surface of a highly heterogeneous rock slope using dynamic reduction method

A new method, the dynamic reduction method (DRM) combined with the strain-softening method, was applied to evaluate the possible slip surface of a highly heterogeneous rock slope of the Dagangshan hydropower station in Southwest China. In DRM, only the strength of the failure elements is reduced and the softening reduction factor K is adopted to calculate the strength parameters. The simulation results calculated by DRM show that the further slip surface on the right slope of the Dagangshan hydropower station is limited in the middle part of the slope, while both SRM (strength reduction method) and LEM (limit equilibrium method) predict a failure surface which extends upper and longer. The observations and analysis from the three recorded sliding events indicate that the failure mode predicted by DRM is more likely the scenario. The results in this study illustrate that for highly heterogeneous slopes with geological discontinuities in different length scales, the proposed DRM can provide a reliable prediction of the location of the slip surface.     

Slope reinforcement for housing in Three Gorges reservoir area

The Three Gorges Project of the Yangtze River is the largest hydropower-complex project under construction in the world. Under the largescale relocation projects, 2874 engineered slopes are formed along with the construction of new towns. In this paper, the cutting slopes are mainly soil slopes and rock slopes. Soil slopes include residual soil slopes, colluvial accumulation slopes, swelling soil slopes, and artificial earth fill slopes, etc. Rock slopes include blocky structure rock slopes, layer structure rock slopes, and clastic structure rock slopes, etc. Varied protection measures have been used for slope protection in the reservoir area including shotcrete concrete-anchor bars, frame beams, retaining walls, slope stabilizing piles, sheet-pile walls, anchorage anti-shear tunnels, flexible protection grids, and drainage, etc. Besides, slope deformation monitoring systems have been set up to monitor deformation failure and the stability state of slopes. The protection measures have guaranteed slope safety and maintained a harmony with the urban environment and surrounding landscape.     

Evaluation of mountain slope stability considering the impact of geological interfaces using discrete fractures model

The stability of rock slope is often controlled by the existing discontinuous surfaces, such as discrete fractures, which are ubiquitously distributing in a geological medium. In contrast with the traditional approaches used in soil slope with a continuous assumption, the simulation methods of jointed rock slope are different from that of in soil slope. This paper presents a study on jointed rock slope stability using the proposed discontinuous approach, which considers the effects of discrete fractures. Comparing with traditional methods to model fractures in an implicit way, the presented approach provides a method to simulate fractures in an explicit way, where grids between rock matrix and fractures are independent. To complete geometric components generation and mesh partition for the model, the corresponding algorithms were devised. To evaluate the stability state of rock slope quantitatively, the strength reduction method was integrated into our analysis framework. A benchmark example was used to verify the validation of the approach. A jointed rock slope, which contains natural fractures, was selected as a case study and was simulated regarding the workflow of our framework. It was set up in the light of the geological condition of the site. Slope stability was evaluated under different loading conditions with various fracture patterns. Numerical results show that fractures have significant contributions to slope stability, and different fracture patterns would lead to different shapes of the slip surface. The devised method has the ability to calculate a non-circular slip surface, which is different from a circular slip surface obtained by classical methods.     

平面剪切岩质边坡滑裂面的确定及稳定性分析

由于传统搜索方法对岩质边坡滑裂面的确定无法兼顾效率与精度, 如何迅速准确确定潜在滑裂面仍然是个难题。极限平衡法在岩质边坡稳定性分析中备受认可, 采用岩质边坡平面剪切滑动模型, 以滑裂面的倾角来表征潜在滑裂面的位置; 基于极值法, 推导了极限平衡条件下平面剪切破坏型岩质边坡潜在滑裂面的解析解, 并结合香港秀茂坪路边坡对其准确性进行了验证, 进一步对四川宜宾打营盘山公路多级边坡进行了整体稳定性分析。结果表明: 香港秀茂坪边坡采用本文方法确定的边坡潜在滑裂面倾角与实际滑坡倾角基本一致。实际工程应用中, 采用Slide软件中布谷鸟搜索法和模拟退火法两种搜索方法得到的滑裂面倾角分别为38.0°和37.0°, 本解析法所得倾角为34.8°; 选用Janbu法、Morgenstern-Price法和Sarma法分别计算对应的稳定系数, 结果均为1.04左右, 本文所得稳定系数为1.15, 可见本文方法所得结果基本准确。通过参数敏感性分析发现, 随着黏聚力的增加, 边坡滑裂面倾角越来越小, 稳定系数也随之增加; 而当内摩擦角增大时, 边坡滑裂面倾角和稳定系数也随之增大。      

渗流-应力耦合下侏罗系红砂岩力学及渗透特性试验研究

三峡库区广泛分布侏罗系红砂岩, 在水库运行期间红砂岩的渗流-应力耦合特性关乎库区内多数滑坡和岩质边坡的稳定性。借助岩石多场耦合三轴试验系统, 对三峡库区侏罗系红砂岩开展了不同围压、不同渗透压下的三轴压缩试验, 系统研究了红砂岩的三轴压缩力学特性和渗透率演化特征。研究结果表明: ①红砂岩的峰前应力-应变曲线可分为孔隙压密阶段、弹性变形阶段、微裂隙稳定发展阶段和非稳定发展阶段。红砂岩的力学参数与渗透压的关系呈负相关, 与围压呈正相关。②随着围压升高, 红砂岩的破坏模式由张拉破坏过渡到剪切破坏。③不同渗透压下, 渗透率曲线呈平稳发展→缓慢上升→快速上升3阶段演化规律; 不同围压下, 渗透率曲线先降低后升高。④从能量角度分析了渗透压和围压对岩石的作用, 验证了渗流对岩石的劣化效应以及围压对裂纹发展的抑制作用。本试验对鲜有报道的侏罗系红砂岩的强度、变形和渗透特性做了系统的研究, 对渗流-应力耦合课题有补充意义。其工况根据三峡库区边坡岩体的应力水平来确定, 试验结果对分析库区边坡稳定性具有指导意义。      

基于一阶线性应变软化理论的边坡稳定性研究

在持续降雨或开挖卸荷作用下, 土体的强度指标会发生劣化, 但现今采用的边坡稳定性计算大多直接将其视为一个常数。为接近真实的边坡失稳破坏模式, 基于瑞典条分法以及一阶线性应变软化机制, 提出了一种边坡渐进破坏分析新方法, 推导出应变软化型边坡极限平衡表达式, 并获得了各破坏进度下边坡的安全系数。通过对模拟算例进行分析, 证明了条分-软化法的可靠性, 且计算结果表明渐进破坏过程中安全系数不仅取决于边坡的破坏方式与强度参数, 还与岩土体的软化模量密切相关。同时, 通过与滑坡实际案例的对比验算, 证实其强度指标存在不同的衰减系数, 即黏聚力的衰减系数大于摩擦角。从理论到应用, 最终获得的条分-软化法, 不仅考虑了岩土体的强度劣化效应以及滑动面的渐进发展, 还能有效地服务于实际工程背景下边坡的稳定性分析, 可以为滑坡的预防与治理提供指导建议。      

Preliminary slope stability analysis and discontinuities driven susceptibility zonation along a crucial highway corridor in higher Himalaya,India

Identification of failure susceptible slopes through different rock engineering approach is highly valuable in landslide risk management along crucial highway corridors in the high mountainous region. In this study, a critical highway(NH-5) segment in higher Himalaya has been investigated using the various rock mass characterization schemes based on detailed field observations. Since the highway corridor is highly susceptible to discontinuities-driven failures, consisting of jointed rock masses;Mean and Combined kinematic feasibility analysis has been performed for 20 highway slopes. Observed slope mass classes have been compared to the feasibility percentage of discontinuities driven failures(wedge, toppling, and planar) and accordingly the kinematic feasibility zonation along highway segment has been done for each as well as overall failure types. Based on the slope mass conditions and discontinuities driven failures probability(%), responsive remedial measures have been proposed for individual highway slopes to ensure safe and uninterrupted transportation.     

Failure mechanisms of post-earthquake bedrock landslides in response to rainfall infiltration

Among the triggering factors of post-earthquake bedrock landslides,rainfall plays an important role.However,with slope variation,the mechanism of its effects on the failure of rock landslides is not clear.Here,from the viewpoint of fracture mechanics,and based on post-earthquake conditions,the mechanisms of crack propagation,water infiltration and development of the sliding surface were investigated.Then,according to the upper boundary theorem,the effects of water infiltrated into fractures on the stability of rock slopes were analyzed quantitatively.Finally,an example is presented to verify the theory.The results show that the propagation and coalescence of cracks and the lubrication of incipient sliding surfaces are the main causes of the failure of post-earthquake rock landslides in response to rainfall.     

Study on Dynamic Response of the ＂Dualistic＂ Structure Rock Slope with Seismic Wave Theory

Currently, scant attention has been paid to the theoretical analysis on dynamic response mechanism of the ＂Dualistic＂ structure roek slope. The analysis presented here provides insight into the dynamic response of the ＂Dualistie＂ structure rock slope. By investigating the principle of energy distribution, it is shown that the effect of a joint plays a significant role in slope stability analysis. A dynamic reflection and transmission model （RTM） for the ＂Dualistic＂ structure rock slope and explicit dynamic equations are established to analyze the dynamic response of a slope, based on the theory of elastic mechanics and the principle of seismic wave propagation. The theoretical simulation solutions show that the dynamic response of the ＂Dualistic＂ structure rock slope （soft-hard） model is greater than that of the ＂Dualistic＂ strueture rock slope （hard-soft） model, especially in the slope crest. The magnifying effect of rigid foundation on the dynamic response is more obvious than that of soft foundation. With the amplitude increasing, the cracks could be found in the right slope （soft-hard） crest. The crest failure is firstly observed in the right slope （soft-hard） during the experimental process. The reliability of theoretical model is also investigated by experiment analysis. The conclusions derived in this paper could also be used in future evaluations of Multi-layer rock slopes.     

大奔流顺层岩质滑坡溃屈型破坏力学机制研究

溃屈型破坏是顺层岩质边坡一种常见的破坏模式。以大奔流顺层岩质滑坡为例，分析了其溃屈型破坏的形成机制，绿泥石片岩层面发育程度和层面抗剪强度及岩石破碎程度是大奔流滑坡发生的主要地质因素，爆破震动荷载和地下水作用是发生溃屈型破坏的主要诱发因素。基于弹性板梁稳定理论和能量平衡原理，建立了顺层岩质滑坡溃屈型破坏力学模型；通过力学分析，提出了综合考虑滑坡自重、地下水与震动荷载作用的顺层岩质滑坡溃屈段长度条件方程。以大奔流滑坡为实例进行了验算，计算结果和现场破坏特征基本一致，表明了该方法的可行性，为研究顺层岩质滑坡溃屈型破坏的力学机制提供了依据。      

Inversion analysis of the shear strength parameters for a high loess slope in the limit state

It is difficult to obtain reliable shear strength parameters for the stability analysis and evaluation of high loess slopes.Hence,this paper determines slope elements and physical parameter of 79 slopes with heights of[40,120]m based on the measured loess slopes in the Ganquan and Tonghuang subregions of northern Shaanxi Province,China.In the limit state of the loess slope(stability factor Fs is 1.0),a fitting equation for the slope height and width is established.Then,the model is developed by stability analysis software-SLOPE/W,and the comprehensive shear strength parameters corresponding to different slope heights of the high slope in the study area are obtained by inversion using the Morgenstern-Price method.The results show that when the height of the slope increases,the cohesion c increases in the soil,and the internal friction angle j decreases.This change is consistent with the characteristics reflected in the composition and physical properties of the slopes,and the comprehensive strength parametric curves are very similar between the Ganquan subregion and the Tonghuang subregion.A landslide that occurred in Miaodian-zaitou of Jingyang County,Shaanxi Province,is selected to verify this inversion method,and the results show that the calculated shear strength parameters of the inversion are consistent with the measured value of the actual slope.     

Geotechnical investigations and remediation design for failure of tunnel portal section: a case study in northern Turkey

Mass movements are very common problems in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey due to its climate conditions, geological, and geomorphological characteristics. High slope angle, weathering, dense rainfalls, and anthropogenic impacts are generally reported as the most important triggering factors in the region. Following the portal slope excavations in the entrance section of Cankurtaran tunnel, located in the region, where the highly weathered andesitic tuff crops out, a circular toe failure occurred. The main target of the present study is to investigate the causes and occurrence mechanism of this failure and to determine the feasible remedial measures against it using finite element method (FEM) in four stages. These stages are slope stability analyses for pre- and postexcavation cases, and remediation design assessments for slope and tunnel. The results of the FEM-SSR analyses indicated that the insufficient initial support design and weathering of the andesitic tuffs are the main factors that caused the portal failure. After installing a rock retaining wall with jet grout columns and reinforced slope benching applications, the factor of safety increased from 0.83 to 2.80. In addition to slope stability evaluation, the Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Rock Mass Quality (Q) and New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) systems were also utilized as empirical methods to characterize the tunnel ground and to determine the tunnel support design. The performance of the suggested empirical support design, induced stress distributions and deformations were analyzed by means of numerical modelling. Finally, it was concluded that the recommended stabilization technique was essential for the dynamic long-term stability and prevents the effects of failure. Additionally, the FEM method gives useful and reasonably reliable results in evaluating the stability of cut slopes and tunnels excavated both in continuous and discontinuous rock masses.     

Assessments on slope instabilities triggered by engineering excavations near a small settlement (Turkey)

In this study, the mechanisms of slope instabilities triggered by engineering excavations at location of a planned tunnel portal in the northwest region of Turkey were assessed, and stability of the current slopes which has impacts on safety of a settlement (village) and agricultural fields was investigated. In the first stage of the study, in order to identify the geological units and structural properties of the sedimentary rocks in the area, to clarify the mechanisms of instabilities and to characterize discontinuity and rock mass properties field works were conducted. In this content, geotechnical boreholes, geophysical explorations between the boreholes, line surveys to explore discontinuity properties, preparation of slope profiles using topographical techniques and sampling of rock blocks and discontinuity planes were performed. In the second stage, laboratory tests were carried out on the samples to determine the geomechnical properties of the slope forming materials and discontinuities. Then, back analyses of the instabilities were made to assess the responsible shear strength parameters of the geological units during failures by considering laboratory shear test results too. Based on the backanalyses of the failures, the strength properties of the slope debris were estimated, and it has been clarified that the residual shear strength properties are the factors controlling slip mechanism along the beddings. Following the stability analyses, it is understood that a further instability along the mass or bedding planes in the failed and redesigned area are not expected, if the current slope geometry is not changed. However, safety factor calculated for the slope in the debris is 1.1 which is well below the recommended value in the literature. The minimum safety factor for currently stable slopes which were cut at the eastern part of the failed area is 1.22 which is also less than that suggested in literature. Some remedial measures such as mini-pile or slope flattening are suggested after analyses to increase the factor of safety for this part below the settlement.