Finite element modeling approach to assess the stability of debris and rock slopes: a case study from the Indian Himalayas

Landslides and slope failures are recurrent phenomena in the Indian Himalayas. The study area comprises the hill slopes along a road stretch of 1.5 km at a distance of 9 km from Pipalkoti on Chamoli–Badrinath highway (NH-58) in the Garhwal Himalayas, India. Based on the field survey, contour map, and the hillshade, the study area has been divided into different zones. Three different zones/slopes in this study area including one potential debris slide, one stable debris slope, and one potential rock slide have been undertaken for investigation and modeling. Field mapping, data collection related to slope features and soil/rock sample collection, and discontinuity mapping for all the slopes have been carried out in field. Soil samples have been tested in the laboratory to determine the physico-mechanical properties. These properties along with some material properties from the literature have been used as input parameters for the numerical simulation. To investigate the failure process in the debris/rock slides as well as stable debris slope, the slopes were modeled as a continuum using 2D finite element plain strain approach. Shear strength reduction analysis was performed to determine the critical strength reduction factor. The computed deformations and the stress distributions, along the failure surface, have been compared with the field observations and found to be in good agreement. The analysis results indicated rock/debris slide slopes to be highly unstable. The debris slide modeling depicted failures both above and below road levels as observed in field. The rock slide modeling could depict the exact pattern of failure involving 3 sets of discontinuities simultaneously as observed in real-field scenario which is a major limitation in case of limit equilibrium analysis. The field-observed stable slope comes to be stable through FE analysis also. Based on these analyses, landslide hazard assessment of the study area could be done.     

Rock slope stability and excavatability assessment of rocks at the Kapikaya dam site,Turkey

This paper presents the slope stability and excavatability assessment of rocks at the Kapikaya dam site that contains diabases. Both field and laboratory studies were carried out. The field study involved detailed discontinuity surveys. Laboratory tests were carried out to determine uniaxial compressive strength, Young's modulus, unit weight, point load strength index and shear strength parameters of discontinuities.Kinematical and numerical analyses were performed to determine right and left slopes at the dam site. According to kinematical analyses, the types of planar and wedge failure are not expected at the site. Also, shear strength reduction analyses was carried out using Phase² for the right and left slopes at the dam site. According to results of numerical analysis, Strength Reduction Factor (SRF) of the right and left slopes are 8.08 and 6.5 respectively and any rotational failure will not occur. The excavation category of the diabases was determined as easy ripping for the right slope and easy-hard ripping for the left slope.     

Evaluating cut slope failure by numerical analysis—a case study

Slope failure is very common phenomenon in hilly regions, especially in young techno active mountainous like Himalayas. It is hazardous because of the accompanying progressive movement of the slope-forming material. In order to minimize the landslide effects, slope failure analysis and stabilization requires in depth understanding of the process that governs the behavior of the slope. The present article mainly deals with the analysis of the stability of road cut slopes of Rudraprayag Area, Uttarakhand, India. The area experiences local as well as regional slides every year. Extensive field study was carried out along the road cut slopes. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the various Physio-mechanical properties of rock mass. These properties have been used as input parameters for the numerical simulation of slope using FLAC3D (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua) including geological discontinuities. The computed deformations and the stress distribution along the failure surface are compared with the field observations. The study indicates that the overall slope is unstable except at the location E where slope is critically stable. The effects of instability have been thoroughly considered and remedial measures have been recommended.     

A numerical simulation of landslide-prone slope in Himalayan region—a case study

Stability of slope will always a problem due to its geodynamic nature of Himalayan region. The area investigated belongs to the Lower Siwalik formation, which is prone to failure due to presence of various weak planes or structures present in the rock mass. Frequent landslides causing loss of life, property, disturbance of morphological, surface and subsurface water flow pattern. A huge landslide in the Amiyan area occurred in 1999 and blocked the Gaula River which caused loss of agricultural land and other properties as well as waterlogged upstream side. The debris of Amiyan slope contains soil and sandstones of various types. This article deals with instability analysis of slopes of the Amiyan area, near Kathgodam, Nainital, Uttarakhand. This area experiences a number of local as well as regional slides. Extensive field surveys have been carried out to understand the geological detail. Laboratory experiments have been conducted to determine the various physicomechanical properties of rock mass. These properties have been used as input parameters for the numerical simulation. A number of researchers have used two-dimensional numerical models to simulate the slide area. Three-dimensional slope stability studies provide a better understanding of the mechanism of failure as well as zone of influence. The computed deformations and stress distribution, along the failure surface, have been compared with the field measurements and found to be in good agreement with field observations. In this case, finite difference method has been applied on the stability analysis of Amiyan slope. The study indicates that the slope is vulnerable and needs proper protection.     

土体抗拉强度对均质边坡稳定性的影响

目前对均质边坡稳定性受岩土体抗拉强度影响程度的看法不一,尤其是对不同坡度的边坡受抗拉强度的影响甚至有相反意见。基于有限差分程序FLAC^3D提供的考虑张拉-剪切复合破坏的Mohr-Coulomb准则,采用强度折减法对多个典型均质边坡进行一系列数值计算,研究土体抗拉强度对不同坡度边坡稳定性的影响。结果表明：边坡越陡,土体抗拉强度对安全系数的影响越大;抗拉强度取值对直立边坡的稳定安全系数及变形破坏特征影响显著,对45°及以下边坡的影响相对较小。总体来说,对于坡角超过60°的陡坡,土体抗拉强度不同引起的边坡安全系数变化幅度可达10%以上,应在边坡稳定分析中特别注意,避免因土体抗拉强度取值过大或过小而导致计算结果偏于危险或过于保守。     

平台分级对加筋土边坡稳定性的影响研究

对于分级修建的边坡,如何选择合适的平台宽度还有待研究。利用离心模型试验和有限元强度折减法对加筋土边坡进行分析,探讨平台分级的影响。试验表明,设置平台可以使边坡分解成若干个次级边坡,边坡分级后,其整体破坏向各个次级边坡集中,失稳部分的规模有所减少;加筋增强了边坡的整体性,能够强化次级边坡之间的独立性;合适的宽度可以使滑动面只发生在次级边坡中,对整体安全是有利的。有限元计算表明,边坡高度较大时,土的黏聚力的作用就会削弱,通过将高大的边坡变成高度较小的次级边坡,能够充分发挥黏聚力对边坡稳定的作用。而加筋的主要效果就是给土体提供一个似黏聚力。也就是说,合适的边坡高度分级能够充分发挥筋材的加筋效果。另外,对加筋高边坡来说,筋材的模量和延伸率是更为关键的材料参数。延伸率不足,在其他筋材的强度还没有发挥时被拉断,就达不到共同承载的目的。     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987114000346

Slope failures along hill cut road slopes are the major nuisance for commuters and highway planners as they put the human lives at huge risk,coupled with immense monetary losses.Analysis of these vulnerable cut slopes entails the assessment and estimation of the suitable material strength input parameters to be used in the numerical models to accomplish a holistic stability examination.For the present study a 60 m high,basaltic and lateritic road cut hill slope in Mahabaleshwar,India,has been considered.A number of samples of both basalt and laterite,in their natural state were tested in the laboratory and the evaluated maximum,minimum and mean strength parameters were employed for the three cases in a distinct element numerical model.The Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion has been incorporated in the numerical model for the material as well as the joints.The numerical investigation offered the factor of safety and insights into the probable deformational mechanism for the three cases.Beside,several critical parameters have also been judged from the study viz.,mode of failure,factor of safety,shear strain rate,displacement magnitudes etc.The result of this analysis shows that the studied section is prone to recurrent failures due to the capping of a substantially thick layer of weaker lateritic material above the high strength basaltic rock mass.External triggering mechanisms like heavy precipitation and earthquake may also accelerate the slope failure in this area.The study also suggests employing instant preventive measures to avert the further risk of damage.     

大型复杂堆积边坡稳定性的离散元分析

与一般高边坡相比,堆积边坡在物质组成、边界条件、力学特性上具有明显差异,其变形与破坏表现出明显的非连续介质特性,传统的边坡稳定分析方法难以反映其失稳方式与破坏过程,而离散元法在分析非连续介质的变形和破坏方面具有较好优越性。以某一大型复杂堆积边坡为依托,首先模拟边坡土体室内三轴试验过程,通过与试验结果对比确定边坡土体的细观力学参数,进而通过建立堆积边坡离散元模型研究其失稳机制,预测其失稳方式和变形过程。结果表明:未开挖前该边坡处于稳定状态,一期开挖完成后边坡上部存在2个潜在滑动体,且表现为沿下伏基岩面的深层滑动; 二期开挖完成后,下部存在一较明显滑动体,其失稳会进一步加剧上部两潜在滑动体的变形破坏; 整个堆积边坡的失稳表现为沿基岩的自下而上牵引式渐进破坏。     

临近边坡的条形基础地基极限承载力数值分析

建筑物或构筑物基础临近边坡置放的情况在实际工程中十分普遍,但目前对于临近边坡基础的地基承载力及破坏模式尚缺乏深入研究。采用不连续布局优化（DLO）极限分析法建立数值模型,分析边坡几何尺寸、土体参数和基础位置对临坡条形基础的极限承载力和边坡破坏模式的影响,并对国内外现行规范推荐的计算方法进行评价。结果表明：极限承载力随边坡高度和边坡倾斜角的增大而减小,当坡高超过临界高度后,极限承载力将不受其影响;极限承载力随土体黏聚力和内摩擦角的增大而提高,滑动面随黏聚力的增大而变浅,随内摩擦角的增大而变深;极限承载力随基础与坡肩相对距离的增大而提高,当基础置放位置超过某临界距离后极限承载力不受边坡影响。在土体强度高、坡角较大时,《建筑地基基础设计规范》规定的临坡基础最小置放距离偏于危险,设计时仍需考虑边坡对承载力的减损作用;在土体强度较低、坡角较小时,规范规定值偏于保守。美国AASHTO规范对边坡地基极限承载力的取值在砂土边坡时较为可靠,但其仅适用于坡面破坏模式的情况;饱和黏土边坡的承载力曲线有悖于理论解,对临界距离的规定同样存在低估。     

Rock slope stability assessment using finite element based modelling – examples from the Indian Himalayas

Numerical modelling of rock slides is a versatile approach to understand the failure mechanism and the dynamics of rock slopes. Finite element slope stability analysis of three rock slopes in Garhwal Himalaya, India has been carried out using a two dimensional plane strain approach. Two different modelling techniques have been attempted for this study. Firstly, the slope is represented as a continuum in which the effect of discontinuities is considered by reducing the properties and strength of intact rock to those of rock mass. The equivalent Mohr-Coulomb shear strength parameters of generalised Hoek-Brown (GHB) criterion and modified Mohr-Coulomb (MMC) criterion has been used for this continuum approach. Secondly, a combined continuum-interface numerical method has been attempted in which the discontinuities are represented as interface elements in between the rock walls. Two different joint shear strength models such as Barton-Bandis and Patton’s model are used for the interface elements. Shear strength reduction (SSR) analysis has been carried out using a finite element formulation provided in the PHASE². For blocky or very blocky rock mass structure combined continuum-interface model is found to be the most suitable one, as this model is capable of simulating the actual field scenario.     

Stability of slopes in a fire-prone mine in Jharia Coalfield, India

Stability of slope in an opencast mine is always associated with safety and economics. The steeper slope is always preferred from economic point of view but prone to failure, whereas flatter slopes are uneconomical. A proper understanding of slope which will be a steep enough to be stable is required for safety, economy, and stability of men and machineries. The Rajapur opencast mine is one of the important mines in terms of good quality coal but has problems of water seepage, fire, and weak overburden materials. The existing coal mine has three working seams which are mostly thick and occur at shallow depths of about 50–60 m. Overall slope angle of the working faces as well as final pit is very steep which leads to failures. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to characterize the materials of the mine for simulation of existing slopes. The rock samples from the coal measures were collected to determine the petrophysical characteristics of various rock units. All the pertinent geological parameters from the exposed face were also collected during field visit to assess the slope mass rating (SMR). A two-dimensional finite difference tool was employed to simulate the existing slope geometry as well as relevant parameters of the rock units. The numerical simulation indicates various vulnerable points which are prone to failure as well as displacements at various points along the slope. The results of simulations are corroborated with the SMR value. The results are well matching with the field condition.     

The assessment of slope stability along NH-22 in Rampur-Jhakri Area,Himachal Pradesh

The present paper demonstrates the assessment of slope stability analysis between Rampur to Jhakri road section along National Highway (NH-22), Himachal Pradesh, India. The different types of slope failures have affected most part of slopes which causes considerable loss of life and property, inconveniences such as disruption of traffic along highways. The poorly designed rock slopes for road widening or construction purposes may weaken the stability of the slopes. A detail field investigation has been carried out to collect the representative rock samples for determination of physico-mechanical properties of rock and joint data for kinematic analysis. The rocks exposed in the area are highly jointed quartzite and quartz-mica schist of Rampur-Larji Group of Palaeoproterozoic age. The continuous slope mass rating (CSMR) technique has been applied for the assessment of slope stability analysis at five vulnerable locations and the results shows slopes are partially stable to unstable. Kinematic analysis mainly shows wedge type of failure along with few toppling and planar failures. The existing slope required immediate treatment to prevent the failure for its long term stability.     

Probabilistic analysis of reinforced slopes using RFEM and considering spatial variability of frictional soil properties due to compaction

Probabilistic stability analyses of constructed wrapped-face reinforced slopes (or embankments) using frictional soils were carried out using the random finite element method (RFEM). Soil properties reported in the literature for unsaturated frictional fills compacted to different densities were used in the simulations. Bar elements were added to the RFEM code to simulate extensible geosynthetic reinforcement layers and the Davis approach was used to improve numerical stability for purely frictional soil slopes at collapse. The influence of isotropic and anisotropic spatially variable soil strength was investigated and shown to have a large influence on the variation of maximum mobilised tensile forces in reinforcement layers for the steep 5 m-high slopes in the study. The influence of fill placed at different layer thickness and compacted to different levels was simulated by adjusting the soil strength and unit weight, and the vertical strength correlation length in the anisotropic spatially variable strength field used in each slope realisation. Numerical results showed that vertical strength correlation lengths approaching the magnitude of fill lift heights can control the probability of failure for reinforced slopes constructed with weak fills placed in lift heights close to but less than the wrapped reinforcement spacing used in the study.     

Stability analysis of an open cut slope in Wardha valley coal field

Open cast mines are the prime source of coal production in India. Due to an increase in coal demand, deeper surface mines are being planned to ensure better productivity with enhanced safety of these mines. The safe working environment and continuous production of the coal calls for the safe and stable design of cut slopes. The stability analysis of this slope requires in depth geotechnical investigation which are aided by result orientated stability assessment using empirical methods and numerical simulation. In the present study, a slope was examined to understand the mechanism and comparisons were made with field observations. The investigation has involved a 32m high cut slope from an open cast mine in Wardha valley coal field which has been analyzed using a two dimensional numerical simulation. The bench slope consisted of a low strength sandstones, shales and clay sequence. Hoek-Brown strength parameters established and used as input parameters in the model. The results indicate that the slope is critically stable and may lead to failure without warning and needs proper attention.     

A resilience framework for safety management of fossil fuel power plant

In the present study, cut slope stability assessment along ghat road section of Kolli hills was carried out by using various geotechnical parameters of rock and soil slope sections and structural kinematics of major discontinuities is presented. The rock slope (RS) stability assessment was carried out using Rock Mass Rating basic (RMR_basic) and Slope Mass Rating (SMR) classification systems. The type of failure and their Factor of Safety (FOS) for individual RS was calculated using Hoek and Bray method. In the case of soil slopes (SS), the FOS was calculated using Circular Failure Chart (CFC) and Limit Equilibrium (LE) methods. The input data for the slope stability analyses were collected through extensive field work followed by stereonet plotting and laboratory test. There are six rock slope sections, and five soil slope sections were taken into consideration for the cut slope stability analyses. The area depicts class II (RS-1, 2, & 6) and class III (RS-3, 4, & 5) of RMR classes. The SMR result depicts for RS-1, RS-2, and RS-6 are 64.40, 60.02, and 60.70, respectively, and falls in class II stable condition. The SMR values of RS-3 and RS-5 were 44.33 and 57, respectively, and come under the class III partially stable condition. The RS-4 with SMR value of 17.33 falls under the class I completely unstable condition. The FOS of planar failure case indicates that RS-3 (FOS = 0.22) is more unstable, while all other sections are having greater than 1 FOS. The calculated FOS values using CFC method reveals that the FOS is very close to 1 for all the SS sections that fall under completely saturated condition which indicates that these slope sections may fail during heavy rainfall. In LE method, the sections SS-3 and SS-4 are unsafe under partially and completely saturated (natural slope) condition. In average slope condition, all the SS sections are unsafe under partially or completely saturated conditions. The facets 2, 3, 4, and 5 required mitigation measures, to improve the stability of slopes. Site-specific mitigation measures were suggested for partially or completely unstable rock and soil cut slopes.     

Soil slope instability along a strategic road corridor in Meghalaya,north-eastern India

The road widening carried out along National Highway-40, a strategic road corridor of north-eastern India, to ease the traffic snarls for geopolitical developments in the region. The newly exposed in situ soil slopes along National Highway-40 are on the verge of shear instability, and slope failures occur due to heavy earth cuttings. As a consequence, the road corridor witnesses several geotechnical failures during rainy seasons. The blasting activities initiated and propagated the soil creeps and falls resulting road blockades. Even a small rain shower is enough to undercut and uproot trees and transport boulders and surrounding earth materials up to the corridor. Besides, landslides are also prone to damage demographic areas and settling house units, thus invites for preventive measures towards hill slope management as these slopes make the highway corridor unsafe to the commuters. Therefore, the present study is aimed to investigate the stability of the hill cut soil slopes and to suggest possible stabilisation measures. The study also highlighted that steep soil slopes with high moisture content are prone to landslides mainly due to infiltration, and water flows on the slopes during high and prolonged rainfall. The highly plastic soils rich in silt and clay size particles with high moisture content cause soil/debris slide and flow. The numerical modelling of slopes using Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC) codes (version 4.0) indicates failures in excavated high angle cut slopes. The re-excavation and benching of unstable slopes with geonets or bionets or jute matting to promote vegetation growth were suggested as stabilisation measures by field investigation, laboratory studies and numerical analysis of slopes.     

水-力耦合及干湿循环效应对浅层残积土斜坡稳定性的影响

降雨入渗过程中,土体吸力降低,体积明显改变。天然浅层土体长期受到季节性气候变化的影响,因此,开展水-力耦合及干湿交替对浅层残积土坡稳定性影响的数值分析,分析浅层土坡孔隙水压力、湿润锋及安全系数的时空演变规律,并对水-力耦合及干湿交替条件下的浅层土坡失稳破坏机制进行探讨显得尤为必要。研究结果表明：随着干湿循环次数的增加,水-力耦合分析下孔隙水压力以及湿润锋的迁移速度增加更快,边坡也更易失稳破坏;干湿交替初期,雨水入渗易引起地下水位上升,边坡可因正孔隙水压力的增加而失稳;干湿交替后期,湿润锋的快速推进加剧基质吸力迅速丧失及土体强度下降,边坡安全系数显著降低,发生失稳破坏的时间缩短。因此,可将湿润锋处的安全系数(局部最小值)作为控制边坡长期稳定性的临界值。     

The analysis of rainfall-induced slope failures at Iva Valley area of Enugu State,Nigeria

This paper analyses the dominant mechanisms of slope failures and identifies potential obstacles to landslide-hazard reduction at the Iva Valley area, Enugu, Nigeria. The landscape is replete with landslide scars and gullies of varied sizes and the slope deposits comprise unconsolidated, friable sands inter-bedded with thin units of montmorillonitic claystone. Forty-three landslide events were identified in the study area with most being shallow, short run-out movements with slip-surface depth <2 m. The study found the landslides mainly occur in the beginning of rainy season characterized by short duration, high intensity rainfall. An integrated approach comprising field mapping, laboratory tests and numerical analyses reveals that the barren nature of the slopes prior to the outset of rainy season, high rainfall intensity, erosion, overgrazing, soil characteristics and the site’s unique lithologic sequence are the main causes of instability. Shearing tests under several conditions showed that the soils strongly strain-soften until low steady-state strength is achieved. A computer code, based on this strength reduction technique, used input parameters obtained from the field and laboratory studies to simulate a landslide with similar structure, travel distance and distribution area. It is noted that urbanization has gradually increased the vulnerability of the society’s poor to landslide hazards as they now erect unplanned residence (tents and blocks) on the slopes. This work is part of a regional study aimed at finding ways of protecting the vulnerable by generating data that could be used to build future landslide susceptibility map.     

Finite Element and Reliability Analyses for Slope Stability of Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project: A Case Study

The partly constructed and excavated power house slopes of Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project experienced extensive collapses through complex mode of failure. A detailed study is attempted in this paper to understand the reasons for the failure and assess the stability of the existing constructed slopes using limit equilibrium and FEM solutions and also to propose modified design for rebuilding the slopes. To take into account the uncertainty associated with the rockmass and soil properties, probability and reliability analyses have also been carried out. Based on the field observations and stability analyses of the natural and cut slopes, suitable support systems such as slope flattening with various angles, weldmesh, shotcrete, rockbolts and drainage holes have been considered to meet the stability requirements. In this study, it is demonstrated that the probabilistic approach when used in conjunction with deterministic approach helps in providing a rational solution for quantification of stability in the estimation of risk associated with the power house slope construction.     

Probabilistic infinite slope analysis

Research activity in the mechanics of landslides has led to renewed interest in the infinite slope equations, and the need for a more general framework for giving insight into the probability of failure of long slopes involving non-homogeneous vertical soil profiles and variable groundwater conditions. This paper describes a methodology in which parameters such as the soil strength, slope geometry and pore pressures, are generated using random field theory. Within the limitations of the infinite slope assumptions, the paper clearly demonstrates the important “seeking out” effect of failure mechanisms in spatially random materials, and how “first order” methods that may not properly account for spatial variability can lead to unconservative estimates of the probability of slope failure.