Limit-Equilibrium Analysis of Stability of Footwall Slope with Respect to Biplanar Failure
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 20, Issue 1
Abstract
Biplanar failure is the most common instability type of footwall slopes, with a steeply dipping joint (typically the bedding plane) and a gently dipping joint (i.e., the daylighting toe joint) forming the basic failure surface. Limit equilibrium, due to its high efficiency and accuracy, is a widespread method in the analysis of such a failure. In this paper, a new block model of biplanar failure is first proposed on the basis of the interaction mechanisms between the active and passive blocks. Then, considering the orientation of the interblock boundary, a biplanar failure analysis method (BFAM) is presented that satisfies both the force and moment equilibrium conditions. Subsequently, a simplified biplanar failure analysis method (SBFAM) is also proposed for ease of use. Finally, parametric analysis was carried out to investigate the influence of the sliding mass depth, slope height, dip angles, and shear strength of the joints on slope stability. It was found that the safety factors of the footwall slope obtained using the BFAM approach are generally consistent with those found using the Morgenstern-Price and Spencer methods. Additionally, the safety factors using the SBFAM approach are well consistent with the physical modeling and BFAM results.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge the valuable comments and suggestions made by the editor and reviewers. This paper was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11602284 and 11472293) and Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (Grant No. 2018CFB450).
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 20 • Issue 1 • January 2020
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 26, 2018
Accepted: May 1, 2019
Published online: Oct 19, 2019
Published in print: Jan 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Mar 19, 2020
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