Analysis of critical excavation depth for a jointed rock slope using a face-to-face discrete element method
Li, S.H. Wang, J.G. Liu, B.S. Dong, D.P.
Li, S.H.
Liu, B.S.
Dong, D.P.
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Abstract
The critical excavation depth of a jointed rock slope is an important problem in rock engineering. This paper studies the critical excavation depth for two idealized jointed rock slopes by employing a face-to-face discrete element method (DEM). The DEM is based on the discontinuity analysis which can consider anisotropic and discontinuous deformations due to joints and their orientations. It uses four lump-points at each surface of rock blocks to describe their interactions. The relationship between the critical excavation depth D s and the natural slope angle α, the joint inclination angle θ as well as the strength parameters of the joints c r ,φ r is analyzed, and the critical excavation depth obtained with this DEM and the limit equilibrium method (LEM) is compared. Furthermore, effects of joints on the failure modes are compared between DEM simulations and experimental observations. It is found that the DEM predicts a lower critical excavation depth than the LEM if the joint structures in the rock mass are not ignored. © 2006 Springer-Verlag.
Keywords
Critical excavation depth, Discontinuity, Face-to-face DEM, Joint configuration, Limit equilibrium method, Slope stability
Source Title
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
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Date
2007-08
DOI
10.1007/s00603-006-0084-9
Type
Article