Numerical Investigation of the Evolution Process of an Open-Pit Mine Landslide Using Discrete-Element Method
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 23, Issue 6
Abstract
Because of the complexity of geological conditions and disturbance of external factors, the process of instability of open-pit landslides is very complicated. To illustrate this complex process, taking an open-pit coal mine landslide as an example, an accurate landslide geological section was established via detailed field investigation, remote sensing image interpretation, and field borehole data, in this study. A two-dimensional discrete-element model was established by the Fast CPU Matrix Computing of Discrete-Element Method (MatDEM, Version 1.60). The failure evolution of the landslide was investigated; then, the deformation behavior and dynamic characteristics of the landslide were systematically studied. The analyses of the failure process, velocity, displacement, and heat showed that the evolution of the landslide could be divided into the stages of initial deformation, accelerated deformation, and deceleration and stabilization. During the movement of the landslide, the gravitational potential energy of the landslide gradually converted into kinetic energy, heat, and elastic potential energy. The kinetic energy in the initial stage was small but rapidly increased and occupied the dominant position in the second stage. The kinetic energy gradually decreased and tended to be stable in the third stage. The final geometry and accumulation characteristics of the landslide obtained by numerical simulation were consistent with the corresponding field investigation and remote sensing interpretation. This work can provide a reference for the study of the evolution and prevention of open-pit mine landslides.
Practical Applications
In view of the observation that the open-pit slope is prone to catastrophic damage, taking the West Open-Pit Mine in Pingzhuang city, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, as an example, the discrete-element geological model of the slope is established to determine the relevant calculation parameters, and the deformation behavior and dynamic characteristics of the landslide are revealed with the help of the rich information (failure, velocity change, and energy change processes of the landslide) obtained from the simulation results. The geometric shape and accumulation characteristics simulated by the mesoscale discrete-element technique are in good agreement with the terrain features observed after the actual landslide. Through a comparison and analysis of the monitoring data from the monitoring points arranged on site, the limitations of monitoring feedback landslide information are determined. These findings provide a certain reference for the numerical simulation study of open-pit coal mine landslides with discrete elements.
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Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52109125), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2020M680583), the National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talent of China (BX20200191), the Excellent Sino-foreign Youth Exchange Program of China Association for Science and Technology in 2020 (No. 58), and the Shuimu Tsinghua Scholar Program (2019SM058).
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International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 23 • Issue 6 • June 2023
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Dec 14, 2021
Accepted: Oct 4, 2022
Published online: Mar 16, 2023
Published in print: Jun 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Aug 16, 2023
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