Buckling failure analysis and numerical manifold method simulation forhigh and steep slope: A case study

Buckling failure of layered rock slopes due to self-weight is common in mountain areas, especially for high andsteep slope, and it frequently results in serious disasters. Previous research has focused on qualitatively evaluatingslope buckling stability and rarely studied the whole process from bending deformation to forming landslide. Inthis work, considering the tensile and compressive characteristics of rock, the simulation of high and steep slopebucking failure evolved in Bawang Mountain, was conducted by numerical manifold method. The bucklingdeformation mechanism and progressive failure process of Bawang Mountain high steep slope were studied. Thereliability of the numerical method was verified by the comparison of theoretical calculation and field measurement data. The results show that numerical manifold method can accurately simulate high and steep slopebuckling failure process by preforming interlayer and cross joints. The process of slope buckling deformation andinstability failure can be divided into minor sliding-creep deformation, interlayer dislocation-slight bending,traction by slope toe-sharp uplift, accelerated sliding-landslide formation. Under the long-term action of selfweight, the evolution of slope buckling from formation to landslide is a progressive failure process, whichmainly contains three stages: slight bending deformation, intense uplift deformation and landslide formation.

Application of the coal mine floor rating(CMFR)to assess the floor stability in a Central Appalachian Coal Mine

Estimating the overall floor stability in a coal mine using deterministic methods which require complex engineering properties of floor strata is desirable,but generally it is impractical due to the difficulty of gathering essential input data.However,applying a quantitative methodology to describe floor quality with a single number provides a practical estimate for preliminary assessment of floor stability.The coal mine floor rating(CMFR)system,developed by the University of New South Wales(UNSW),is a rockmass classification system that provides an indicator for the competence of floor strata.The most significant components of the CMFR are uniaxial compressive strength and discontinuity intensity of floor strata.In addition to the competence of the floor,depth of cover and stress notch angle are input parameters used to assess the preliminary floor stability.In this study,CMFR methodology was applied to a Central Appalachian Coal Mine that intermittently experienced floor heave.Exploratory drill core data,overburden maps,and mine plans were utilized for the study.Additionally,qualitative data(failure/non-failure)on floor conditions of the mine entries near the core holes was collected and analyzed so that the floor quality and its relation to entry stability could be estimated by statistical methods.It was found that the current CMFR classification system is not directly applicable in assessing the floor stability of the Central Appalachian Coal Mine.In order to extend the applicability of the CMFR classification system,the methodology was modified.A calculation procedure of one of the CMFR classification system’s components,the horizontal stress rating(HSR),was changed and new parameters were added to the HSR.

Parameter sensitivity analysis of the axial stability for a marine flexible pipe

Marine unbonded flexible pipes serve as the most essential equipment in offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation.Axial compressive loads during installation or in service in the complex marine environment usually lead to buckling failure.A flexible pipe is a composite structure with multiple functional layers,of which the tensile armor layer plays a key role with regard to the response of the pipe subjected to axial loads.In this paper,a simplified three-dimensional finite element model is developed,focusing on the tensile layer and replacing the carcass layer,pressure sheath layer,and pressure armor layer by a cylindrical rigid body to reduce computational expense.By using this model,the buckling failure modes of the tensile armor layer(in particular the birdcaging phenomenon)are analyzed.Several key parameters that affect the stability of the flexible pipe under axial compression and torsion are emphasized,and their effects on its axial and torsional stiffness are compared and discussed.The results show that both the lay angle of the steel wires and the interlayer friction coefficient have a significant influence on the axial and torsional stiffness of the pipe,whereas the damaged length of the outer sheath has virtually no effect.

Study on Functional Mechanical Performance of Honeycomb Array Structures Inspired by Gideon Beetle

To obtain bio-inspired structures with superior biological function,four bio-inspired structures named regular arrangement honeycomb structure(RAHS),staggered arrangement honeycomb structure(SAHS),floral arrangement honeycomb structure(FLAHS)and functional arrangement honeycomb structure(FUAHS)are designed by observing the microstructure of the Gideon beetle,based on the optimal size bio-inspired cells by response surface method(RSM)and particle swarm optimization(PSO)algorithm.According to Euler theory and buckling failure theory,compression deformation properties of bio-inspired structures are explained.Experiments and simulations further verify the accuracy of theoretical analysis results.The results show that energy absorption of FLAHS is,respectively,increased by 26.95%,22.85%,and 121.45%,compared with RAHS,SAHS,and FUAHS.Elastic modulus of FLAHS is 110.37%,110.37%,and 230.56% of RAHS,SAHS,and FUAHS,respectively.FLAHS perfectly inherits crashworthiness and energy absorption properties of the Gideon beetle,and FLAHS has the most stable force.Similarly,RAHS,SAHS,and FUAHS,respectively,inherit mechanical properties of the Gideon beetle top horn,the Gideon beetle middle horn,and the abdomen of the beetle.This method,designing bio-inspired structures with biological functions,can be introduced into the engineering field requiring the special function.