Combined influence of nonlinearity and dilation on slope stability evaluated by upper-bound limit analysis

The combined influence of nonlinearity and dilation on slope stability was evaluated using the upper-bound limit analysis theorem.The mechanism of slope collapse was analyzed by dividing it into arbitrary discrete soil blocks with the nonlinear Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion and nonassociated flow rule.The multipoint tangent(multi-tangent) technique was used to analyze the slope stability by linearizing the nonlinear failure criterion.A general expression for the slope safety factor was derived based on the virtual work principle and the strength reduction technique,and the global slope safety factor can be obtained by the optimization method of nonlinear sequential quadratic programming.The results show better agreement with previous research result when the nonlinear failure criterion reduces to a linear failure criterion or the non-associated flow rule reduces to an associated flow rule,which demonstrates the rationality of the presented method.Slope safety factors calculated by the multi-tangent inclined-slices technique were smaller than those obtained by the traditional single-tangent inclined-slices technique.The results show that the multi-tangent inclined-slices technique is a safe and effective method of slope stability limit analysis.The combined effect of nonlinearity and dilation on slope stability was analyzed,and the parameter analysis indicates that nonlinearity and dilation have significant influence on the result of slope stability analysis.

Numerical investigations of rock bridge effect on open pit slope stability

In this study,the effect of rock bridges on rock slope stability was investigated by incorporating nonpersistent joint networks in numerical models,and the critical profiles of an open pit mine were analysed.Parallel deterministic networks of infinite and finite lengths,ubiquitous joint network model and Veneziano joint network model were used in order to simulate the rock fractures.Materials were modelled based on the generalised Hoek-Brown and equivalent Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria.The parallel deterministic infinite and the ubiquitous joint network models produced lower safety factors.The introduction of rock bridges along discontinuity planes in the parallel deterministic network and Veneziano joint network models significantly contributed to the stability and strain distribution,which should be considered in stability analysis of rock mass in open pit by rock slope practitioners.The results show the significance of joints in hard rock behaviour and the joints should be included in order to attain practical and realistic simulations.

Limit equilibrium method(LEM) of slope stability and calculation of comprehensive factor of safety with double strength-reduction technique

When the slope is in critical limit equilibrium(LE) state, the strength parameters have different contribution to each other on maintaining slope stability. That is to say that the strength parameters are not simultaneously reduced. Hence, the LE stress method is established to analyze the slope stability by employing the double strengthreduction(DSR) technique in this work. For calculation model of slope stability under the DSR technique, the general nonlinear Mohr–Coulomb(M–C) criterion is used to describe the shear failure of slope. Meanwhile, the average and polar diameter methods via the DSR technique are both adopted to calculate the comprehensive factor of safety(FOS) of slope. To extend the application of the polar diameter method, the original method is improved in the proposed method. After comparison and analysis on some slope examples, the proposed method's feasibility is verified. Thereafter, the stability charts of slope suitable for engineering application are drawn. Moreover, the studies show that:(1) the average method yields similar results as that of the polardiameter method;(2) compared with the traditional uniform strength-reduction(USR) technique, the slope stability obtained using the DSR techniquetends to be more unsafe; and(3) for a slope in the critical LE state, the strength parameter φ, i.e., internal friction angle, has greater contribution on the slope stability than the strength parameters c, i.e., cohesion.

Infiltration,runoff,and slope stability behaviors of infinite slope with macropores based on an improved Green–Ampt model

Infiltration–runoff–slope instability mechanism of macropore slope under heavy rainfall is unclear.This paper studied its instability mechanism with an improved Green–Ampt(GA)model considering the dual-porosity(i.e.,matrix and macropore)and ponding condition,and proposed the infiltration equations,infiltration–runoff coupled model,and safety factor calculation method.Results show that the infiltration processes of macropore slope can be divided into three stages,and the proposed model is rational by a comparative analysis.The wetting front depth of the traditional unsaturated slope is 17.2%larger than that of the macropore slope in the early rainfall stage and 27%smaller than that of the macropore slope in the late rainfall stage.Then,macropores benefit the slope stability in the early rainfall but not in the latter.Macropore flow does not occur initially but becomes pronounced with increasing rainfall duration.The equal depth of the wetting front in the two domains is regarded as the onset criteria of macropore flow.Parameter analysis shows that macropore flow is delayed by increasing proportion of macropore domain(ω_(f)),whereas promoted by increasing ratio of saturated permeability coefficients between the two domains(μ).The increasing trend of ponding depth is sharp at first and then grows slowly.Finally,when rainfall duration is less than 3 h,ωf andμhave no significant effect on the safety factor,whereas it decreases with increasingωf and increases with increasingμunder longer duration(≥3 h).With the increase ofω_(f),the slope maximum instability time advances by 10.5 h,and with the increase ofμ,the slope maximum instability time delays by 3.1 h.

Evaluation of slope stability through rock mass classification and kinematic analysis of some major slopes along NH-1A from Ramban to Banihal, North Western Himalayas

The network of Himalayan roadways and highways connects some remote regions of valleys or hill slopes,which is vital for India’s socio-economic growth.Due to natural and artificial factors,frequency of slope instabilities along the networks has been increasing over last few decades.Assessment of stability of natural and artificial slopes due to construction of these connecting road networks is significant in safely executing these roads throughout the year.Several rock mass classification methods are generally used to assess the strength and deformability of rock mass.This study assesses slope stability along the NH-1A of Ramban district of North Western Himalayas.Various structurally and non-structurally controlled rock mass classification systems have been applied to assess the stability conditions of 14 slopes.For evaluating the stability of these slopes,kinematic analysis was performed along with geological strength index(GSI),rock mass rating(RMR),continuous slope mass rating(CoSMR),slope mass rating(SMR),and Q-slope in the present study.The SMR gives three slopes as completely unstable while CoSMR suggests four slopes as completely unstable.The stability of all slopes was also analyzed using a design chart under dynamic and static conditions by slope stability rating(SSR)for the factor of safety(FoS)of 1.2 and 1 respectively.Q-slope with probability of failure(PoF)1%gives two slopes as stable slopes.Stable slope angle has been determined based on the Q-slope safe angle equation and SSR design chart based on the FoS.The value ranges given by different empirical classifications were RMR(37-74),GSI(27.3-58.5),SMR(11-59),and CoSMR(3.39-74.56).Good relationship was found among RMR&SSR and RMR&GSI with correlation coefficient(R 2)value of 0.815 and 0.6866,respectively.Lastly,a comparative stability of all these slopes based on the above classification has been performed to identify the most critical slope along this road.

Probabilistic approach for open pit bench slope stability analysis——A mine case study

The geotechnical slope design of an open pit wall starts at the bench scale configuration.At this scale,the rock slope stability is governed primarily by the geological discontinuities within the rock mass and as a result,structurally-controlled failures(e.g.planar,wedge or toppling)are most likely to occur.The probabilistic approach offers a major advantage over the traditional deterministic method in that it accounts for the different degrees of variability and uncertainty often encountered in rock properties.This paper presents a bench slope stability assessment for an open pit mine in Peru using a probabilistic-based approach by coupling a kinematic analysis based on stereographic projection techniques followed by a kinetic analysis by means of the limit equilibrium method.Finally,these two probabilities are combined to provide an overall measure of the probability of failure(PoF)of the bench slope system.The case study is characterized by significant scatter in the geometrical and mechanical properties of the joints.Extensive surface mapping was conducted at 36 different sites following the ISRM suggested procedures.Several direct shear tests were carried out.It is shown that by combining field and laboratory measurements and engineering judgment,the probability density functions(PDF)of the discontinuity parameters can be obtained.These are then used in a Monte Carlo simulation process to compute both kinematic and kinetic probabilities of failure.The overall probability of failure aims to provide the design engineer with a tool to critically evaluate the bench performance from a geotechnical risk perspective and to provide a basis for future bench design optimization.

Rock Slope Stability Problems in Wadi Quaz-Dam Site No. 2, Jeddah-Saudi Arabia

The present investigation deals with the engineering geological studies of soil and rock masses in the Wadi Quaz area-Dam No. 2, East of Jeddah. Wadi Quaz area-Dam No. 2, East of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia often faces floods during rainy seasons, so it is so urgent to investigate the area before building any dam or preventing water from flow. Preventing water from flow will produce new dangerous factors such as uplift force which may cause the dam failure. To have a better understanding of the factors that may affect the slope stability, many rock slope locations are observed in detail to assess the effect of discontinuities formed in the rock masses. Fieldwork and Laboratory tests were carried out on soil and rocks. Soils included identification of soil type using unified soil classification system, permeability, water content and field density were done for soils. Rocks include identification of physical and mechanical properties such as: rock type, degree of weathering, rock strength, RQD, joint spacing measurements, and geometric properties (Dip, and Dip direction). Different methods were used to evaluate the potential failure in the studied area depending on rock mass rating and slope stability analysis. The well-known classification of rock masses titled Rock Mass Rating system [1] was used for categorizing the rock masses in the studied area besides slope mass rating [2] which would help to estimate the rock stability. The kinematical analysis was applied to investigate the potential failure mode which might occur in the dam abutments. This paper will provide the stability of dam abutments in both summer season and winter season besides general estimation of the seepage problems related to the soil and according to its permeability.

Rock-soil slope stability analysis by two-phase random media and finite elements

To investigate the strong random nature of the geometric interfaces between soil and rock, a rock-soil slope is considered as a two-phase random medium. A nonlinear translation of a Gaussian field is utilized to simulate the two-phase random media, such that the soil(or rock) volume fraction and the inclination of the soil layer can be examined. The finite element method with random media incorporated as the material properties is used to determine the factor of safety of the rock-soil slope. Monte-Carlo simulations are used to estimate the statistical characteristics of the factor of safety. The failure mode of the rock-soil slope is examined by observing the maximum principal plastic strain at incipient slope failure. It is found that the critical surface of a rock-soil slope is fairly irregular, and it significantly differs from that of a pure soil slope. The factor of safety is sensitive to the soil volume faction, but it is predictable. The average factor of safety could be well predicted by the weighted harmonic average between the strength of soil and rock; the prediction model is practical and simple. Parametric studies on the inclination of the soil layer demonstrate that the most instable scenario occurs when the slope angle is consistent with the inclination of the soil layer.

Early warning system for shallow landslides using rainfall threshold and slope stability analysis

A combined cluster and regression analysis were performed for the first time to identify rainfall threshold that triggers landslide events in Amboori, Kerala, India. Amboori is a tropical area that is highly vulnerable to landslides. The 2, 3, and 5-day antecedent rainfall data versus daily rainfall was clustered to identify a cluster of critical events that could potentially trigger landslides. Further, the cluster of critical events was utilized for regression analysis to develop the threshold equations. The 5-day antecedent(xvariable) vs. daily rainfall(y-variable) provided the best fit to the data with a threshold equation of y = 80.7-0.1981 x. The intercept of the equation indicates that if the 5-day antecedent rainfall is zero, the minimum daily rainfall needed to trigger the landslide in the Amboori region would be 80.7 mm. The negative coefficient of the antecedent rainfall indicates that when the cumulative antecedent rainfall increases, the amount of daily rainfall required to trigger monsoon landslide decreases. The coefficient value indicates that the contribution of the 5-day antecedent rainfall is～20% to the landslide trigger threshold. The slope stability analysis carried out for the area, using Probabilistic Infinite Slope Analysis Model(PISA-m), was utilized to identify the areas vulnerable to landslide in the region. The locations in the area where past landslides have occurred demonstrate lower Factors of Safety(FS) in the slope stability analysis. Thus, rainfall threshold analysis together with the FS values from slope stability can be suitable for developing a simple, cost-effective, and comprehensive early-warning system for shallow landslides in Amboori and similar regions.

Evaluation of mountain slope stability considering the impact of geological interfaces using discrete fractures model

The stability of rock slope is often controlled by the existing discontinuous surfaces, such as discrete fractures, which are ubiquitously distributing in a geological medium. In contrast with the traditional approaches used in soil slope with a continuous assumption, the simulation methods of jointed rock slope are different from that of in soil slope. This paper presents a study on jointed rock slope stability using the proposed discontinuous approach, which considers the effects of discrete fractures. Comparing with traditional methods to model fractures in an implicit way, the presented approach provides a method to simulate fractures in an explicit way, where grids between rock matrix and fractures are independent. To complete geometric components generation and mesh partition for the model, the corresponding algorithms were devised. To evaluate the stability state of rock slope quantitatively, the strength reduction method was integrated into our analysis framework. A benchmark example was used to verify the validation of the approach. A jointed rock slope, which contains natural fractures, was selected as a case study and was simulated regarding the workflow of our framework. It was set up in the light of the geological condition of the site. Slope stability was evaluated under different loading conditions with various fracture patterns. Numerical results show that fractures have significant contributions to slope stability, and different fracture patterns would lead to different shapes of the slip surface. The devised method has the ability to calculate a non-circular slip surface, which is different from a circular slip surface obtained by classical methods.

Influence of rock property correlation on reliability analysis of rock slope stability: From property characterization to reliability analysis

Cohesion(c) and friction angle(φ) of rock are important parameters required for reliability analysis of rock slope stability. There is correlation between c and φ which affects results of reliability analysis of rock slope stability. However, the characterization of joint probability distribution of c and φ through which their correlation can be estimated requires a large amount of rock property data, which are often not available for most rock engineering projects. As a result, the correlation between c and φ is often ignored or simply assumed during reliability studies, which may lead to bias estimation of failure probability. In probabilistic rock slope stability analysis, the influence of ignoring or simply assuming the correlation of the rock strength parameters(i.e., c and φ) on the reliability of rock slopes has not been fully investigated. In this study, a Bayesian approach is developed to characterize the correlation between c and φ, and an expanded reliability-based design(RBD) approach is developed to assess the influence of correlation between c and φ on reliability of a rock slope. The Bayesian approach characterizes the sitespecific joint probability distribution of c and φ, and quantifies the correlation between c and φ using available limited data pairs of c and φ from a rock project. The expanded RBD approach uses the joint probability distribution of c and φ obtained through the Bayesian approach as inputs, to determine the reliability of a rock slope. The approach gives insight into the propagation of the correlation between c and φ through their joint probability into the reliability analysis, and their influence on the calculated reliability of the rock slope. The approaches may be applied in practice with little additional effort from a conventional analysis. The proposed approaches are illustrated using real c and φ data pairs obtained from laboratory tests of fractured rock at Forsmark, Sweden.

Upper Bound Solution of Soil Slope Stability under Coupling Effect of Rainfall and Earthquake

Based on the limit analysis upper bound method,a new model of soil slope collapse has been proposed which consists of two rigid block zones and a plastic shear zone.Soil slope was induced failure by coupling effect of rainfall and earthquake,and these blocks were also incorporated horizontal earthquake force and vertical gravitate.The velocities and forces were analyzed in three blocks,and the expression of velocity discontinuities was obtained by the principle of incompressibility.The external force work for the blocks,the internal energy of the plastic shear zone and the velocity discontinuous were solved.The present stability ratios are compared to the prevenient research,which shows the superiority of the mechanism and rationality of the analysis.The critical height of the soil slope can provide theoretical basis for slope support and design.

Preliminary slope stability analysis and discontinuities driven susceptibility zonation along a crucial highway corridor in higher Himalaya, India

Identification of failure susceptible slopes through different rock engineering approach is highly valuable in landslide risk management along crucial highway corridors in the high mountainous region. In this study, a critical highway(NH-5) segment in higher Himalaya has been investigated using the various rock mass characterization schemes based on detailed field observations. Since the highway corridor is highly susceptible to discontinuities-driven failures, consisting of jointed rock masses;Mean and Combined kinematic feasibility analysis has been performed for 20 highway slopes. Observed slope mass classes have been compared to the feasibility percentage of discontinuities driven failures(wedge, toppling, and planar) and accordingly the kinematic feasibility zonation along highway segment has been done for each as well as overall failure types. Based on the slope mass conditions and discontinuities driven failures probability(%), responsive remedial measures have been proposed for individual highway slopes to ensure safe and uninterrupted transportation.

Rock bridge slice element method in slope stability analysis based on multi-scale geological structure mapping

The searching method of failure surface which consists of complex geological structures in high and steep rock slopes was studied. Based on computer simulation technology and Monte-Carlo method, three dimensional multi-scale geological structures such as engineering scale and statistical scale structures of the slope were simulated. The searching method of failure route which consists of joints and rock bridges was determined via simulation annealing method by considering the shear strength of joints or rock bridges in one supposed route. When shear strengths of all the supposed routes were computed, the least shear strength route was considered failure route. Then, the inclined slice of joint slices and rock bridge slices were separated according to the position of joints and rock bridges. For the rock bridge slices, by distinguishing the failure model, the force direction to the next slice was defined. Finally, the limit equilibrium equations for every slice were established, and the slope stability factor was obtained. One practical example indicates that the discussed method is more closely to the real condition.

Couple analysis on strength reduction theory and rheological mechanism for slope stability

Considering the rheological properties of rock and soil body,and exploiting the merit of strength reduction technique,a theory of couple analysis is brought forward on the basis of strength reduction theory and rheological properties.Then,the concept and the calculation procedure of the safety factor are established at different time.Making use of finite element software ANSYS,the most dangerous sliding surface of the slope can be obtained through the strength reduction technique.According to the dynamic safety factor based on rheological mechanism,a good forecasting could be presented to prevent and cure the landslide.The result shows that the couple analysis reveals the process of the slope failure with the time and the important influence on the long-term stability due to the rheological parameters.

Methods applied in Australian industry to evaluate coal mine slope stability

Strata failure is a principal hazard in open cut coal mining as it has the potential to cause multiple fatalities.Prior to the excavation of any slope,a geotechnical assessment should review the likely slope performance,including the risk of slope failure.Controls to manage this risk to an acceptable level should accompany the geotechnical analysis.A survey of 43 practising geotechnical engineers indicated that kinematic and 2D limit equilibrium analyses were the methods most commonly applied to analyse excavated slope stability.While these methods are well established and widely applied in the broad rock engineering disciplines(e.g.civil,hard rock),a recent review of over 60 slope failures suggests these methods have limited suitability for modelling the complex failure mechanisms observed in excavated coal mine slopes.Kinematic techniques do not adequately capture the rock mass component of excavated slope failure and do not provide a geospatial location of potential failure,while 2D limit equilibrium techniques do not adequately capture the 3D mechanisms of excavated slope failures.Methods which do consider the 3D mechanisms of slope failure are summarized for industry consideration and application.

A New Closure to Slice Model for Slope Stability Analysis

This paper presents a new closure to slice models for evaluating slopes. The discussion is based on the minimal inter-slice action (MIA) hypothesis, which results in a new slice model without including artificially adjustable parameters. It has been realized that the new slice model predicts the minimum value of the safety factor, while all other slice models available always overestimate the value of the safety factor. Moreover, the gravity moment of each slice is found to be opposite to the overturning moment, which is different from the existing knowledge. In particular, the new slice model overcomes the situation where different assumptions of the inter-slice force function will give different safety factors to the same slope. The related numerical examples indicate that the new slice model can serve as a reliable tool for investigating geotechnical slope stability.

Development of a preliminary slope stability calculation method based on internal horizontal displacements

This paper proposes a horizontal displacement-based approach to determine the potential slip surface of the slope. Firstly, a group of in-situ inclinometers with an appropriate spacing in the horizontal direction is located in the model slope.The equation of horizontal displacement with time for each in-situ inclinometer is fitted during the whole simulation process. Furthermore, the intersection of each inclinometer with potential slip surface is determined by using an optimization model. The slip surface can be obtained by using least square fitting method. Finally, the feasibility and accuracy of the method are validated by a series of numerical simulations. It is noted that the optimization model taking the maximum value of displacement increment gradient as an objective has higher accuracy when compared with other optimization models. This method employed in this study provides a preliminary approach to determine the real-time slope stability based on displacement, which can also be measured by using conventional instruments on site.

Critical Assessment of Slope Stability: A Case Study on the Toffo-Lalo Road Project

This article systematically delves into a comprehensive analysis of the latest and most advanced techniques for the assessment of slope stability. It particularly focuses on strategies aimed at enhancing slope stability in road construction. In addition to this analysis, the article presents an illustrative case study centered on the Toffo-Lalo Road Project. The core objective of this paper is to scrutinize the stability of large embankments in road construction, with a specific emphasis on the development and asphalt overlay of the Toffo-Lalo road. This scrutiny is conducted through the utilization of stability calculation software, GEOSTUDIO2018, specifically its SLOPE/W module. Within this framework, a detailed model of the cutbank located at KP1+750-2+250 was meticulously developed. This model takes into account the physical-mechanical characteristics of the soil at the site, as well as the topographic layout. Its attributes include a cohesion value of 11.3 Kpa, a density of 16.57 KN/m3, and a friction angle of 27˚. The modeling results, employing the Morgenstern-Price method—an approach renowned for its adherence to equilibrium conditions and provision of precise results—conclude that the safety coefficient (Fs = 1.429) prior to any reinforcement signifies a critical state of slope stability. To address this, the article explores the implementation of reinforcement techniques, particularly focusing on rigid inclusions like nailing and piles. The modeling exercises reveal a noteworthy enhancement in the safety coefficient (Fs) post-reinforcement. Furthermore, the article undertakes a parametric study to optimize the reinforcement strategies. This analysis highlights that anchoring at 0˚ downward relative to the horizontal plane and employing a pile angle of 90˚ represent the most favorable approaches. These measures yield safety coefficients of 3.60 and 2.34, respectively, indicating substantially improved slope stability.

Strategies for Advancing Road Construction Slope Stability: Unveiling Innovative Techniques for Managing Unstable Terrain

This comprehensive review paper explores various aspects of geotechnical engineering, with a focus on the management of unstable terrains, numerical methods for solving complex soil and consolidation problems, rheological analysis of suspensions and muddy soils, and stability analysis of slopes. It begins by examining the unique physicochemical properties of cohesive sediments, including cohesion and specific surface area. The temporal evolution of deposit concentration and average bed concentration in unstable terrains is discussed, along with settling behavior of isolated particles and hindered settling using empirical equations. Key sedimentation theories, such as Kynch’s theory, and geotechnical consolidation theories, including Terzaghi’s consolidation equation and Gibson’s theory, are presented. The investigation interrelates these theories and principles to offer a holistic view of managing unstable terrains. It also addresses the challenges associated with experimental determination of constitutive relationships and presents alternative simplification methods proposed by researchers. Additionally, it delves into numerical methods for solving nonlinear partial differential equations governing soil behavior, emphasizing the need for numerical frameworks and discussing various techniques and associated challenges. The rheological analysis section covers material flow behavior, rheological behavior models, and the rheological properties of water and cohesive sediment mixtures. Fundamental geotechnical calculations, constitutive laws, and failure criteria are explained, highlighting their relevance in geotechnical engineering applications. This paper provides a multidimensional perspective on geotechnical engineering, offering valuable insights into soil properties, consolidation processes, numerical methods, rheological analysis, and slope stability assessment for professionals in the field.