Numerical Study on Failure Mechanism of Rock Slope Formed by Mudstone at Girdu, Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53560/PPASA(61-3)866Keywords:
Rock Slope, Stability Analysis, Factor of Safety, GeoSMA3D, 3DECAbstract
Failure analysis of rock slope is a core topic in rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering. This paper simulates the failure mechanism of a rock slope formed by mudstone at Girdu, Pakistan. Initially, site surveys and laboratory experiments were carried out to measure slope geometry and input shear strength properties of the material. The geotechnical structure and model analyzing computer program (GeoSMA3D) was used to determine the stability of the main slippery blocks. A shear strength reduction method was selected in a three-dimensional distinct element code (3DEC) to examine the failure mechanism, the factor of safety (FS), shear strain concentration, and displacement of slope at various monitoring points. Furthermore, the effect of the rock slippery block, slope angle, and slope height on failure modes of slope were assessed. The present results showed that the studied section is prone to big planer failure at both maximum and minimum strength properties. Slope angle and height significantly influenced the failure characteristics of rock slope . It is inferred that these parameters must be precisely considered during slope reinforcement design.
References
S. Wang, Z. Ahmed, and P. Wang. Study of critical failure surface influencing factors for loose rock slope. SN Applied Sciences 3: 65 (2021).
H. Wang, J. Zou, X. Wang, P. Lv, Z. Tan, L. Cheng, W. Qiang, Q. Binli, and G. Zhengchao. Analysis of deformation mechanism of rainfall-induced landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area: Piansongshu landslide. Scientific Report 14: 10005 (2024).
L.R. Alejano, B. Pons, F.G. Bastante, E. Alonso, and H.W. Stockhausen. Slope geometry design as a means for controlling rockfalls in quarries. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. 44: 903-921 (2007)
Y. Zheng, R. Wu, C. Yan, R. Wang, and B. Ma. Numerical study on flexural toppling failure of rock slopes using the finite discrete element method. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 83: 111 (2024).
Z. Chuhan, O. Pekau, J. Feng, and W. Guanglun. Application of distinct element method in dynamic analysis of high rock slopes and blocky structures. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 16: 385-94 (1997).
R. Bhasin and A. Kaynia. Static and dynamic simulation of a 700-m high rock slope in western Norway. Engineering Geology 71: 213-26 (2004).
L.M. Highland and P. Bobrowsky. The landslide handbook: A guide to understanding landslides. Circular 1325. US Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia (2008).
https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1325/pdf/C1325_508.pdf
N. Matsuoka and H. Sakai. Rockfall activity from an alpine cliff during thawing periods. Geomorphology 28: 309-328 (1999)
V. Solonenko. Landslides and collapses in seismic zones and their prediction. Bulletin of the International Association of Engineering Geology 15: 4-8 (1977).
S. Wang, Z. Ahmed, M.Z. Hashmi, W. Pengyu. Cliff face rock slope stability analysis based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources 5(4): 333-344 (2019).
F. Agliardi and G. Crosta. High-resolution three-dimensional numerical modeling of rockfalls. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. 40: 455-471 (2003).
S. Vijayakumar, T. Yacoub, and J. Curran. On the effect of rock size and shape in rockfall analyses. Proceedings of the US Rock Mechanics Symposium (ARMA) San Francisco CA, USA (2011).
D. Varnes. Slope movement types and processes. Special Report 176: 11-33 (1978).
S. Wang, P. Ni, and M. Guo. Spatial characterization of joint planes and stability analysis of tunnel blocks. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 38: 357-67 (2013).
Y. Liu, H. Li, J. Zhao, J. Li, and Q. Zhou. UDEC simulation for the dynamic response of a rock slope subject to explosions. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 41: 474 (2004).
S. Sarkar, K. Pandit, N. Dahiya, and P. Chandna. Quantified landslide hazard assessment based on finite element slope stability analysis for Uttarkashi–Gangnani Highway in Indian Himalayas. Natural Hazards 106: 1895-1914 (2021).
P. Singh, A. Wasnik, A. Kainthola, M. Sazid, and T. Singh. The stability of road cut cliff face along SH-121: a case study. Natural Hazards 68: 497-507 (2013).
L. Zhao, C. Jin, B. Zhao, D. Huang, Z. Zhu, and S. Zuo. A method for setting up passive protective nets for rockfalls based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 83: 340 (2024).
H. Kou, Z. Shi, C. Xia C, Y. Zhou, and S. Meng. Dynamic simulation and failure analysis of intermittently jointed rock cells and slopes based on a novel spring-based smoothed particle hydrodynamics method. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 83: 135 (2024).
B. Gautam and S. Mehndiratta. Analysis of a rock slope with an infilled planar joint using deterministic and probabilistic approaches. Indian Geotechnical Journal inpress (2024).
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40098-024-00925-6
S. Wang and P. Ni. Application of block theory modeling on spatial block topological identification to rock slope stability analysis. International Journal of Computational Methods. 11: 1350044 (2014).
F. Wang, S. Wang, M.Z. Hashmi, and Z. Xiu. The characterization of rock slope stability using key blocks within the framework of GeoSMA-3D. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 77: 1405-1420 (2018).
J. Xiao, W. Gong, J.R. Martin, M. Shen, and Z. Luo. Probabilistic seismic stability analysis of slope at a given site in a specified exposure time. Engineering Geology 212: 53-62 (2016).
S. Wang, Z. Zhang, C. Wang, C. Zhu, and Y. Ren. Multistep rocky slope stability analysis based on unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry. Environmental Earth Sciences 78: 260 (2019).
Q.H. Zhang and G.H. Shi. Discussion on Key Issues in the Application of Block Theory in Rock Engineering. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering 57: 2017-2033 (2024).
S. Dong, Q. Zhang, Z. Mai, and H. Zhang. A Limit Equilibrium Method for Analyzing Multi-sliding-Plane Block Stability and Its Application in the Optimal Design of a Gravity Dam Foundation. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering 57: 4107-4128 (2024).
