Pre-Failure to Post-Failure Behavioral Spectrum of Jointed Rock Slopes
Publication: Geo-Congress 2023
ABSTRACT
The whole behavioral spectrum of jointed rock slopes should be investigated to analyze the stability and post-failure state of these geostructures that host a variety of civil infrastructure. This study aims at understanding the mechanical behavior of jointed rock slopes, which emerges from the interaction between the newly generated fractures and the complex network of pre-existing fractures. We use a hybrid finite-discrete element method to analyze the failure and post-failure states of several jointed rock slope models with different joint patterns. The initial failure is triggered by a strength reduction mechanism. This method of analysis can indicate the failure mechanism and other important parameters for the analysis and design of sustainable and resilient infrastructure surrounding the slopes. These important parameters include, for example, the runout distance and volume, and the kinetic energy of the failed materials. The results show that jointed rock geostructures do not have a single factor of safety. This is because the contributions of the rock matrix and discrete fracture network in the failure mechanism and extent of these structures are different and depend on their initial and evolving properties with the given environmental perturbations.
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Geo-Congress 2023
Pages: 147 - 154
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Published online: Mar 23, 2023
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