Optimal mining sequence for coal faces under a bedding slope:insight from landslide prevention

Repetitive mining beneath bedding slopes is identified as a critical factor in geomorphic disturbances, especially landslides and surface subsidence. Prior research has largely concentrated on surface deformation in plains due to multi-seam coal mining and the instability of natural bedding slopes, yet the cumulative impact of different mining sequences on bedding slopes has been less explored. This study combines drone surveys and geological data to construct a comprehensive three-dimensional model of bedding slopes. Utilizing FLAC3D and PFC2D models, derived from laboratory experiments, it simulates stress, deformation, and failure dynamics of slopes under various mining sequences. Incorporating fractal dimension analysis, the research evaluates the stability of slopes in relation to different mining sequences. The findings reveal that mining in an upslope direction minimizes disruption to overlying strata. Initiating extraction from lower segments increases tensile-shear stress in coal pillar overburdens, resulting in greater creep deformation towards the downslope than when starting from upper segments, potentially leading to localized landslides and widespread creep deformation in mined-out areas. The downslope upward mining sequence exhibits the least fractal dimensions, indicating minimal disturbance to both strata and surface. While all five mining scenarios maintain good slope stability under normal conditions, recalibrated stability assessments based on fractal dimensions suggest that downslope upward mining offers the highest stability under rainfall, contrasting with the lower stability and potential instability risks of upslope downward mining. These insights are pivotal for mining operations and geological hazard mitigation in multi-seam coal exploitation on bedding slopes.

Stability of bedded rock slopes subjected to hydro-fluctuation and associated strength deterioration

Reservoir-induced earthquakes(RIEs)occur frequently in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area(TGRA)and the rock mass strength of the hydro-fluctuation belt(HFB)deteriorates severely due to the reservoirinduced seismic loads.Three models of typical bedded rock slopes(BRSs),i.e.gently(GIS),moderately(MIS),and steeply(SIS)inclined slopes,were proposed according to field investigations.The dynamic response mechanism and stability of the BRSs,affected by the rock mass deterioration of the HFB,were investigated by the shaking table test and the universal distinct element code(UDEC)simulation.Specifically,the amplification coefficient of the peak ground acceleration(PGA)of the slope was gradually attenuated under multiple seismic loads,and the acceleration response showed obvious“surface effect”and“elevation effect”in the horizontal and vertical directions,respectively.The“S-type”cubic function and“steep-rise type”exponential function were used to characterize the cumulative damage evolution of the slope caused by microseismic waves(low seismic waves)and high seismic waves,respectively.According to the dynamic responses of the acceleration,cumulative displacement,rock pressure,pore water pressure,damping ratio,natural frequency,stability coefficient,and sliding velocity of the slope,the typical evolution processes of the dynamic cumulative damage and instability failure of the slope were generalized,and the numerical and experimental results were compared.Considering the dynamic effects of the slope height(SH),slope angle(SA),bedding plane thickness(BPT),dip angle of the bedding plane(DABP),dynamic load amplitude(DLA),dynamic load frequency(DLF),height of water level of the hydro-fluctuation belt(HWLHFB),degradation range of the hydro-fluctuation belt(DRHFB),and degradation shape of the hydro-fluctuation belt(DSHFB),the sensitivity of factors influencing the slope dynamic stability using the orthogonal analysis method(OAM)was DLA>DRHFB>SA>SH>DLF>HWLHFB>DSHFB>DABP>BPT.

Exploring mechanism of hidden,steep obliquely inclined bedding landslides using a 3DEC model:A case study of the Shanyang landslide in Shaanxi Province,China

Catastrophic geological disasters frequently occur on slopes with obliquely inclined bedding structures(also referred to as obliquely inclined bedding slopes),where the apparent dip sliding is not readily visible.This phenomenon has become a focal point in landslide research.Yet,there is a lack of studies on the failure modes and mechanisms of hidden,steep obliquely inclined bedding slopes.This study investigated the Shanyang landslide in Shaanxi Province,China.Using field investigations,laboratory tests of geotechnical parameters,and the 3DEC software,this study developed a numerical model of the landslide to analyze the failure process of such slopes.The findings indicate that the Shanyang landslide primarily crept along a weak interlayer under the action of gravity.The landslide,initially following a dip angle with the support of a stable inclined rock mass,shifted direction under the influence of argillization in the weak interlayer,moving towards the apparent dip angle.The slide resistance effect of the karstic dissolution zone was increasingly significant during this process,with lateral friction being the primary resistance force.A reduction in the lateral friction due to karstic dissolution made the apparent dip sliding characteristics of the Shanyang landslide more pronounced.Notably,deformations such as bending and uplift at the slope’s foot suggest that the main slide resistance shifts from lateral friction within the karstic dissolution zone to the slope foot’s resistance force,leading to the eventual buckling failure of the landslide.This study unveils a novel failure mode of apparent dip creep-buckling in the Shanyang landslide,highlighting the critical role of lateral friction from the karstic dissolution zone in its failure mechanism.These insights offer a valuable reference for mitigating risks and preventing disasters related to obliquely inclined bedding landslides.

Model test and numerical simulation on the dynamic stability of the bedding rock slope under frequent microseisms

Shake table testing was performed to investigate the dynamic stability of a mid-dip bedding rock slope under frequent earthquakes. Then, numerical modelling was established to further study the slope dynamic stability under purely microseisms and the influence of five factors, including seismic amplitude, slope height, slope angle, strata inclination and strata thickness, were considered. The experimental results show that the natural frequency of the slope decreases and damping ratio increases as the earthquake loading times increase. The dynamic strength reduction method is adopted for the stability evaluation of the bedding rock slope in numerical simulation, and the slope stability decreases with the increase of seismic amplitude, increase of slope height, reduction of strata thickness and increase of slope angle. The failure mode of a mid-dip bedding rock slope in the shaking table test is integral slipping along the bedding surface with dipping tensile cracks at the slope rear edge going through the bedding surfaces. In the numerical simulation, the long-term stability of a mid-dip bedding slope is worst under frequent microseisms and the slope is at risk of integral sliding instability, whereas the slope rock mass is more broken than shown in the shaking table test. The research results are of practical significance to better understand the formation mechanism of reservoir landslides and prevent future landslide disasters.

Experimental study on seismic response and progressive failure characteristics of bedding rock slopes

Bedding rock slopes are common geological features in nature that are prone to failure under strong earthquakes. Their failures induce catastrophic landslides and form barrier lakes, posing severe threats to people’s lives and property. Based on the similarity criteria, a bedding rock slope model with a length of3 m, a width of 0.8 m, and a height of 1.6 m was constructed to facilitate large-scale shaking table tests.The results showed that with the increase of vibration time, the natural frequency of the model slope decreased, but the damping ratio increased. Damage to the rock mass structure altered the dynamic characteristics of the slope;therefore, amplification of the acceleration was found to be nonlinear and uneven. Furthermore, the acceleration was amplified nonlinearly with the increase of slope elevation along the slope surface and the vertical section, and the maximum acceleration amplification factor(AAF) occurred at the slope crest. Before visible deformation, the AAF increased with increasing shaking intensity;however, it decreased with increasing shaking intensity after obvious deformation. The slope was likely to slide along the bedding planes at a shallow depth below the slope surface. The upper part of the slope mainly experienced a tensile-shear effect, whereas the lower part suffered a compressive-shear force. The progressive failure process of the model slope can be divided into four stages, and the dislocated rock mass can be summarized into three zones. The testing data provide a good explanation of the dynamic behavior of the rock slope when subjected to an earthquake and may serve as a helpful reference in implementing antiseismic measures for earthquake-induced landslides.

Dynamic failure mode and energy-based identification method for a counter-bedding rock slope with weak intercalated layers

The dynamic failure mode and energybased identification method for a counter-bedding rock slope with weak intercalated layers are discussed in this paper using large scale shaking table test and the Hilbert-Huang Transform(HHT) marginal spectrum.The results show that variations in the peak values of marginal spectra can clearly indicate the process of dynamic damage development inside the model slope.The identification results of marginal spectra closely coincide with the monitoring results of slope face displacement in the test.When subjected to the earthquake excitation with 0.1 g and 0.2 g amplitudes,no seismic damage is observed in the model slope,while the peak values of marginal spectra increase linearly with increasing slope height.In the case of 0.3 g seismic excitation,dynamic damage occurs near the slope crest and some rock blocks fall off the slope crest.When the seismic excitation reaches 0.4 g,the dynamic damage inside the model slope extends to the part with relative height of 0.295-0.6,and minor horizontal cracks occur in the middle part of the model slope.When the seismic excitation reaches 0.6 g,the damage further extends to the slope toe,and the damage inside the model slope extends to the part with relative height below 0.295,and the upper part(near the relative height of 0.8) slides outwards.Longitudinal fissures appear in the slope face,which connect with horizontal cracks,the weak intercalated layers at middle slope height are extruded out and the slope crest breaks up.The marginal spectrum identification results demonstrate that the dynamic damage near the slope face is minor as compared with that inside the model slope.The dynamic failure mode of counter-bedding rock slope with weak intercalated layers is extrusion and sliding at the middle rock strata.The research results of this paper are meaningful for the further understanding of the dynamic failure mode of counter-bedding rock slope with weak intercalated layers.

Influence of depth-thickness ratio of mining on the stability of a bedding slope with its sliding surface in concave deformation

In order to study the influence of depth-thickness ratio on bedding slope stability, whose sliding surface is flexural concave in shape under mining conditions, this paper aims to study the characteristics of deformation and damage of bedding sliding with depth-thickness ratios of 200:1, 150:1, 120:1, 100:1 and 50:1by adopting numerical simulation analysis software combined with laboratory-made ‘‘under the influence of mining variable sliding surface slope similar simulation test bed", and to propose identification methods for slope stability under the influence of mining. The results show that mining activities under the slope reduce slope stability. With a decrease in the mining depth ratio, the influence of mining on the slope increases gradually, and the damage to the slope gradually expands, the stability of the slope gradually reduces, fracture occurs on the slope toe and the central fissure gradually develops to the surface,and reaches slide threshold when the depth-thickness ratio is 50:1.

Effect of buried plates on scour profiles downstream of hydraulic jump in open channels with horizontal and reverse bed slopes

Local scour downstream of sluice gates in erosive beds is one of the main concerns of hydraulic engineers because it can cause considerable damage to structures.Many researchers have conducted various studies to predict the maximum depth and length of scour holes and to develop new methods to control this phenomenon.In the methods that have recently been examined,embedded buried plates are used to control the scour in the erosive beds.In this study,using a physical model,the effect of buried plates in erosive beds on the depth of scour downstream of a hydraulic jump was studied.Several experiments were performed in which plates were buried at 50° and 90° angles at different distances from the apron in open channels with horizontal and reverse bed slopes.The results of experiments in which the scour profiles were drawn in dimensionless forms show that the angle and position of the plates are important to controlling and reducing scour depth.In fact,by reducing the angle of buried plates,the maximum depth of scour is also reduced.Also,comparison of the results of a single buried plate and double buried plates shows that using two buried plates at the distances of 30 and 45 cm from the non-erodible bed is more effective in reducing the scour depth.The best distances of the buried plates with angles of 90° and 50° from the non-erodible bed are 45 cm and 30 cm,respectively,in the condition with a single buried plate.

Effect of the inclined weak interlayers on the rainfall response of a bedded rock slope

Engineering experience shows that outward dipping bedded rock slopes, especially including weak interlayers, are prone to slide under rainfall conditions. To investigate the effect of inclined weak interlayers at various levels of depth below the surface on the variation of displacements and stresses in bedded rock slopes, four geomechanical model tests with artificial rainfall have been conducted. Displacements, water content as well as earth pressure in the model were monitored by means of various FBG(Fiber Bragg Grating) sensors. The results showed that the amount of displacement of a slope with a weak interlayer is 2.8 to 6.2 times larger than that of a slope without a weak interlayer during one rainfall event. Furthermore, the position of the weak interlayer in terms of depth below the surface has a significant effect on the zone of deformation in the model. In the slope with a high position weak interlayer, the recorded deformation was larger in the superficial layer of the model and smaller in the frontal portion than in the slope with a low position weak interlayer. The slope with two weak interlayers has the largest deformation at all locations of all test slopes. The slope without a weak interlayer was only saturated in its superficial layer, while the displacement decreased with depth. That was different from all slopes with a weak interlayer in which the largest displacement shifted from thesuperficial layer to the weak interlayer when rainfall persisted. Plastic deformation of the weak interlayer promoted the formation of cracks which caused more water to flow into the slope, thus causing larger deformation in the slope with weak interlayers. In addition, the slide thrust pressure showed a vibration phenomenon 0.5 to 1 hour ahead of an abrupt increase of the deformation, which was interpreted as a predictor for rainfall-induced failure of bedded rock slopes.

Physical Modeling of Landslide Mechanism in Oblique Thick-Bedded Rock Slope: A Case Study

The Jiweishan landslide illustrates the failure pattern of an apparent dip slide of an oblique thick-bedded rockslide. Centrifugal modeling was performed using a model slope consisting of four sets of joints to investigate the landslide initiation mechanism. Crack strain gauges pasted between the slide blocks and the base failed in sequence from the rear to the front as the centrifugal acceleration increased. When the acceleration reached 16.3g, the instantaneous failure of the key block in the front triggered the apparent dip slide of all blocks. The physical modeling results and previous studies suggest that the strength reduction in the weak layer and the failure of the key block are the main reasons for the Jiweishan landslide. The centrifuge experiment validated the previously proposed driving-blocks-key-block model of apparent dip slide in oblique with inclined bedding rock slopes. In addition, the results from limit equilibrium method and centrifuge test suggest that even though the failure of the key block in the front is instantaneous, a progressive stable-unstable transition exists.

Dynamic damage evolution of bank slopes with serrated structural planes considering the deteriorated rock mass and frequent reservoirinduced earthquakes

To investigate the dynamic damage evolution characteristics of bank slopes with serrated structural planes,the shaking table model test and the numerical simulation were utilized.The main findings indicate that under continuous seismic loads,the deformation of the bank slope increased,particularly around the hydro-fluctuation belt,accompanying by the pore water pressure rising.The soil pressure increased and then decreased showed dynamic variation characteristics.As the undulation angle of the serrated structural planes increased(30°, 45°, and 60°),the failure modes were climbing,climbinggnawing,and gnawing respectively.The first-order natural frequency was used to calculate the damage degree(Dd)of the bank slope.During microseisms and small earthquakes,it was discovered that the evolution of Dd followed the“S”shape,which was fitted by a logic function.Additionally,the quadratic function was used to fit the Dd during moderately strong earthquakes.Through the numerical simulation,the variation characteristics of safety factors(Sf)for slopes with serrated structural planes and slopes with straight structural planes were compared.Under continuous seismic loads,the Sf of slopes with straight structural planes reduce stalely,whereas the Sf for slopes with serrated structural planes was greater than the former and the reduction rate was increasing.

Large-scale model testing of high-pressure grouting reinforcement for bedding slope with rapid-setting polyurethane

Bedding slope is a typical heterogeneous slope consisting of different soil/rock layers and is likely to slide along the weakest interface.Conventional slope protection methods for bedding slopes,such as retaining walls,stabilizing piles,and anchors,are time-consuming and labor-and energy-intensive.This study proposes an innovative polymer grout method to improve the bearing capacity and reduce the displacement of bedding slopes.A series of large-scale model tests were carried out to verify the effectiveness of polymer grout in protecting bedding slopes.Specifically,load-displacement relationships and failure patterns were analyzed for different testing slopes with various dosages of polymer.Results show the great potential of polymer grout in improving bearing capacity,reducing settlement,and protecting slopes from being crushed under shearing.The polymer-treated slopes remained structurally intact,while the untreated slope exhibited considerable damage when subjected to loads surpassing the bearing capacity.It is also found that polymer-cemented soils concentrate around the injection pipe,forming a fan-shaped sheet-like structure.This study proves the improvement of polymer grouting for bedding slope treatment and will contribute to the development of a fast method to protect bedding slopes from landslides.

含建筑桩基的顺层岩质边坡桩锚支护体系振动台模型试验研究

基于Bockinghamπ定理,对具有建筑桩基的顺层岩质边坡桩锚支护体系开展振动台模型试验,通过分析预应力锚索、建筑桩基的应变以及边坡坡顶加速度,研究支护体系的动力响应规律。结果表明,预应力锚索的应变在地震波加速度达到峰值时达到最大值,且上排锚索受力大于下排锚索,随着地震幅值的增大,最上排锚索锚固段率先发生滑移破坏失去锚固作用;建筑桩基应变最大值点位于滑动面以下一定深度,且远离边坡坡面的建筑桩基受力大于邻近边坡坡面的建筑桩基;坡顶各点峰值加速度随地震波幅值增大整体表现为线性增大,但在Wenchuan-Wolong波(0.55g)和Sin波(0.4g)工况时,各点峰值加速度相对有所下降,随着地震波幅值增大,各点峰值加速度放大系数在汶川波和正弦波作用下并非单调变化,而是表现为先减小后增大波动变化特点。

库区浮泥层纵向流速垂线分布特性研究

水库浮泥是存在于水库底部的一层高含沙水体,流动性较强,直接影响水库淤积形态和水库排沙,研究其运动规律对水库减淤优化调度具有重要意义。根据三峡库区实测泥沙矿物组成和级配资料,配置沙样进行流变试验,以幂律流变模型描述浮泥的本构关系。构建了浮泥运动的速度分布理论模型,通过水槽试验对模型进行了验证,计算结果与试验结果吻合较好。结果表明,浮泥运动速度随浮泥厚度、上层水流流速、床面坡度增大而增大,随浮泥密度增大而减少。沿水深方向浮泥纵向流速分布始终呈抛物线型,表层的浮泥流速要远大于底层浮泥,浮泥纵向流速沿垂向方向不断减少,最底部的浮泥几乎处于静止状态。

软弱结构面参数对顺层岩质边坡动力响应的影响研究

为了探究地震作用下软弱结构面对岩质边坡动力响应特征的影响。以云南省某露天矿山边坡为研究背景,利用有限差分软件中的非线性动力分析法对顺层岩质边坡进行动力计算,通过控制变量法设计了一系列的数值实验,探究了软弱结构面参数的改变对岩质边坡动力响应的影响规律,再基于正交试验以及极差分析法对影响岩质边坡动力响应的结构面参数进行了敏感性分析。结果表明:结构面参数的改变对于顺层边坡的动力响应有较大影响;各影响因子对顺层岩质边坡动力响应影响程度大小排序为结构面黏聚力>结构面倾角>结构面内摩擦角>结构面厚度。动力响应的研究可为地处地震频发区域的顺层岩质边坡提供抗震依据。

川西南公路顺层边坡桩锚组合结构加固分析——以乐西高速ZK9+352~ZK9+526边坡为例

四川盆地周边地形地质条件复杂,公路建设中顺层边坡的工程病害频现。通过工程地质分析和数值计算,基于滑面损伤本构模型,研究顺层边坡支护前后滑面应力、位移和边坡稳定性系数等特征量的变化规律,验证桩锚组合结构加固顺层边坡的适用性;通过施工全周期现场监测,获取边坡深部位移、抗滑桩桩身弯矩和锚索应力的时效特征。结果表明:开挖扰动下顺层边坡具渐进性失稳破坏特征;自坡脚沿滑面向后缘,位移呈指数型平滑递减,剪应力先增大后降低,滑面损伤变量自剪应力峰值位置开始同频衰减;采用桩锚组合结构加固顺层边坡后,滑面位移最大值降低88.62%,最大损伤变量降低84.75%,稳定系数提高25.20%;坡体深部位移、抗滑桩桩身弯矩、锚索应力等监测验证了桩锚组合结构加固的有效作用。

珠海市南水镇金龙边坡变形破坏特征及稳定性评价

边坡稳定性分析评价是边坡调查评价过程中一个不可或缺的环节。以珠海市金龙边坡为研究对象,分析了边坡的发育特征、影响因素、形成机制。在查明边坡岩土体出露及结构特征基础上,根据典型断面C、ϕ值反演分析及敏感性分析结果,确定金龙边坡岩土体物理力学参数,采用极限平衡法对金龙边坡进行稳定性分析评价。评价结果表明:金龙边坡在天然工况下处于欠稳定状态,在饱和及饱和+地震工况下处于不稳定状态。

考虑侧壁阻力的顺层边坡失稳机制及稳定性评价

侧壁阻力作用下,顺层边坡主滑方向将偏离岩层倾向,其变形及失稳机制具有典型特征。以四川盆地马边河流域某顺层边坡为例,基于其工程地质条件,总结顺层边坡不同变形区域的特征,结合失稳边界条件研究了考虑侧壁阻力的顺层边坡失稳演化机制;最后,对比主滑方向偏离岩层倾向与否的受力差异,分析考虑侧壁阻力的顺层边坡三维稳定性,并研究了各影响因素的作用效应。结果表明:(1)考虑侧壁阻力的顺层边坡变形可划为失稳滑走区、滑坡区和稳定区,滑坡区包含滑动区和蠕滑变形区,滑动区岩体滑动后解体风化为碎、块石土,蠕滑变形区受侧壁阻力影响岩体仅变形拉裂;(2)顺层边坡经岩体劣化和前缘临空后,总体呈下部滑动、中部蠕滑拉裂的顺层临空-后退式破坏;滑动区边界受前缘及侧壁临空控制,长度与侧壁冲沟下切段长度相近;蠕滑变形区部分侧壁由节理面转化为挤压带,侧壁阻力增大,稳定性高于临界失稳状态;受侧壁阻力及滑体厚度控制,蠕滑变形区与稳定区界限处因滑体厚度削薄而拉裂;(3)建立了考虑侧壁阻力的顺层边坡稳定性系数计算式,以及岩层倾角δ、滑面倾角α、主滑方向偏离岩层倾向夹角β三角度间的换算关系式,侧壁摩擦系数和β越大,侧壁阻力越利于顺层边坡稳定。

路堑顺层边坡稳定性分析及支挡防护数值模拟研究

为研究含泥岩夹层顺层白云岩边坡的变形特征、稳定性及支挡防护,以某路堑边坡为例,基于midas GTS有限元软件进行了数值仿真计算,并结合现场观测分析边坡开挖及支挡防护后的坡体变形特征、应力状态、塑性区分布、抗滑桩受力特性,以及边坡加固后的稳定性状态。结果表明,研究边坡开挖至路基标高后,泥岩夹层出露,其破坏模式为平面滑动,稳定性系数为0.92,边坡不稳定,需做进一步支挡;边坡开挖后预应力锚索在坡体表面发生应力集中,且产生了良好的反向约束力,改善了坡体内部的应力分布;坡脚施加抗滑桩后与预应力锚索共同约束坡体,防止其沿泥岩夹层滑动,起到了良好的阻隔作用,且二者相结合后固脚强腰效果良好,确保了边坡整体稳定与局部稳定;经长期观测,边坡采用抗滑桩+框架锚索等多种结构综合治理具有良好的支护效果。

老河口市红层边坡崩塌危岩体运动轨迹及冲击能量分析

本文以汉丹铁路沿线切坡形成的陡崖边坡为研究对象,分析危岩段的边坡特征,对危岩体特征进行分类,运用Rockfall软件模拟滚石崩落轨迹,综合预测滚石冲击能量,对老河口地区及同类型红层边坡变形破坏的防治具有指导意义及参考价值。研究表明:区内多数落石的最大水平运动距离在15m左右,最远运动距离接近32m,沿线危岩体直接威胁平台处的汉丹铁路和下方居民建筑安全,不威胁S302省道及省道过往行人和车辆;建议加强沿线专业监测,局部辅以喷浆防护。