• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.21 no.B
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• pp.51-58
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• 2001

The Distinct Element Method (DEM) was used to analyze the stability of jointed rock slope, of which dimension are about 200m(length), 60m(height), $55^{\circ}$ dip. The Barton-Bandis joint model was used, as a constitutive model. The parameters such as JRC and spatial distribution characteristics of discontinuities were acquired through field investigation. Three different cases such as $51^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$ and $38^{\circ}$ in angle of rock slope were analyzed to decide a stable slope. To keep the jointed rock slope safely, it is proposed to reduce the height of slope from 60m to 48m and to reduce the angle of the from $55^{\circ}$ to $38^{\circ}$ too.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.97-102
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• 2007

Though the stability analysis of soil slopes widely employs the limit equilibrium method, the study on the jointed rock slopes must consider the direction of joint and the characteristics of Joint at the same time. This study analyzes the result of the change in the factors which show the characteristics of discontinuity and the shape factor of rock slopes, and so on, in an attempt to validate the propriety as to the interpretation of jointed rock slope stability which uses the general finite element program. First, the difference depending on the flow rules was compared, and the factor effect study was conducted. The selected independent variables included the direction of joint which displays the mechanical characteristics of discontinuity, adhesive cohesion, friction angle, the inclination and height of rock slope which reveal the shape of slope and surcharge load. And the horizontal displacement was numerically interpreted at the 1/3 point below the slope, a dependent variable, to compare the relative degree of factor effects. The findings of study on factor effects led to the validation that the result of horizontal displacement for each factor satisfied various engineering characteristics, making it possible to be applied to stability interpretation of jointed rock slope. A modelling is possible, which considers the application of the result of real geotechnical surveys & laboratory studies and the non-linear characteristics when designing the rock slope. In addition, the stress change which may result from the natural disaster, such as precipitation, and the construction, can be expressed. Furthermore, as the complicated rock condition and the ground supporting effect can be considered through FEM, it is considered to be very useful in making an engineering decision on the cut-slope, reinforcement and so on.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.271-281
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• 2018

A jointed rock slope stability evaluation was simulated by a discontinuous deformation analysis numerical method to investigate the process and safety factors for different crack distributions and different overloading situations. An optimized method using Discontinuous Deformation Analysis for Rock Failure (DDARF) is presented to perform numerical investigations on the jointed rock slope stability evaluation of the Dagangshan hydropower station. During the pre-processing of establishing the numerical model, an integrated software system including AutoCAD, Screen Capture, and Excel is adopted to facilitate the implementation of the numerical model with random joint network. These optimizations during the pre-processing stage of DDARF can remarkably improve the simulation efficiency, making it possible for complex model calculation. In the numerical investigations on the jointed rock slope stability evaluations using the optimized DDARF, three calculation schemes have been taken into account in the numerical model: (I) no joint; (II) two sets of regular parallel joints; and (III) multiple sets of random joints. This model is capable of replicating the entire processes including crack initiation, propagation, formation of shear zones, and local failures, and thus is able to provide constructive suggestions to supporting schemes for the slope. Meanwhile, the overloading numerical simulations under the same three schemes have also been performed. Overloading safety factors of the three schemes are 5.68, 2.42 and 1.39, respectively, which are obtained by analyzing the displacement evolutions of key monitoring points during overloading.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.287-295
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• 1998

Limit equilibrium method is widely used for the stability analysis of soil slopes. In jointed rock slopes however, the failure of the slope is largely dependent upon the strength and deformability of the joints in the rock mass and quite often failure occurs along the joints. This paper describes the use of ubiquitous joint model for the stability analysis of the jointed rock slopes. This model is essentially an anisotropic elasto-plastic model and can simulate two sets of joint in arbitrary orientations. Validation of the developed with the factor of safety equal to unity was selected when the shape of the failure plane is assumed log spiral. Then the factor of safety of the rock slope having two perpendicular joint sets was calculated while rotating joint orientations. Rusults were compared with limit equilibrium solutions on soil slopes having equivalent soil properties when plane sliding was assumed. Developed model predicted the factor of safety of jointed rock slope in a reasonable accuracy when joint spacing is sufficiently small.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.95-106
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• 2009

Numerical analysis of the progressive failure of a rock slope was conducted using a 3-D rock joint element considering fracture mechanics and subcritical crack growth of asperities in the rock joints. Even though the stress state in the rock slope is not changing, the elapse of time causes subcritical crack growth to break asperities in the joints. The increase of broken asperities causes failure of joints in the rock slope and the increase of failed joints results in failure of a jointed rock slope. As a result, the progressive failure of a jointed rock slope due to the gradual breaking of small asperities along joints generated by subcritical crack growth occurs at a lower stress than if rock failure occurred by exceeding the static strength or fracture toughness.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.627-638
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• 2019

Estimation of representative elementary volume (REV) of jointed rock masses is critical to predict the mechanical behavior of field-scale rock masses. The REV of jointed rock masses at site is strongly influenced by stress state. The paper proposed a method to systematically studied the influence of confining stress on the REV of jointed rock masses with various strengths (weak, medium and strong), which were sourced from the water inlet slope of Xiaowan Hydropower Station, China. A finite element method considering material heterogeneity was employed, a series of two-dimensional (2D) models was established based on the Monte-Carlo method and a lot of biaxial compressive tests were conducted. Numerical results showed that the REV of jointed rock masses presented a step-like reduction as the normalized confining stress increased. Confining stress weakened the size effect of jointed rock masses, indicating that the REV determined under uniaxial compression test can be reasonably taken as the REV of jointed rock masses under complexed in-situ stress environment.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.125-140
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• 2010

Slope stability analysis of the right abutment of a railway bridge proposed at about 350 m above the ground level, crossing a river and connecting two huge hillocks in the Himalayas, India is presented in this paper. The site is located in a highly active seismic zone. The rock slopes are intensely jointed and the joint spacing and orientation are varying at different locations. Static slope stability of the rock slope is studied using equivalent continuum approach through the most commonly used commercial numerical tools like FLAC and SLOPE/W of GEOSTUDIO. The factor of safety for the slope under static conditions was 1.88 and it was reduced by 46% with the application of earthquake loads in pseudo-static analysis. The results obtained from the slope stability analyses confirmed the global stability of the slope. However, it is very likely that there could be possibility of wedge failures at some of the pier locations. This paper also presents the results from kinematics of right abutment slope for the wedge failure analysis based on stereographic projections. Based on the kinematics, it is recommended to flatten the slope from 50o to 43o to avoid wedge failures at all pier locations.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

When a rock slope is excavated adjacent to a existing tunnel, the behavior of the existing tunnel in the jointed rock masses is greatly influenced by the joint conditions and slope status. In this study, the effects of joint dip and slope angle close to a tunnel are investigated through a large scale model using a biaxial test equipment ($3.1\;m\;{\times}\;3.1\;m\;{\times}\;0.50\;m$ (width $\times$ height $\times$ length)). The jointed rock masses were built by concrete blocks. The diameter of the modeled tunnel is 0.6 m and the dip angles of joint vary in the range of $0-90^{\circ}$. In addition, the excavated slope angle varies within $30{\sim}90^{\circ}$. Deformational behaviors of the tunnel were analyzed in consideration of joint dip and slope angle. With increase of the joint dip and slope angle, the magnitude of tunnel distortion and the moment of tunnel lining were increased. Rock mass displacement in horizontal was also dependent on the joint dip and the excavated slope angle, which indicated the optimal slope reinforcement for a specific rock mass conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.321-328
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• 2009

A optimal reinforcement in the joint rock slope excavation adjacent to an existing tunnel would be influenced by excavation distance from the tunnel, slope angel, and joint conditions but has been empirically determined so far. In this study, large scale model tests were conducted to find out the relationship between load translation on the excavation surface and bebavior of the tunnel according to excavation steps of the jointed rock slope. Consequently, two main parameters, joint dip and sloped angle were investigated in those model tests. From the test results, it was found that tunnel deformation was the largest one when the excavation of joints located closer to the tunnel crown or invert. Stability of the slope and the tunnel were varied in a certain excavation stage related to the angle of slope. In the future, based on results of this study the reinforcement method for the tunnel and slope safety in a jointed rock mass will be demonstrated.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.166-174
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• 1996

Stability of rock slope is greatly affected by the geometry and strength of discontinuities developed in the rock mass. In this study an analytical method which is capable of analyzing the effect of relative orientation between the discontinuities and the slope face on the safety of slope by assessing their vector components was used to evaluate the stability and the maximum cut-angle for the proposed slope design. The results of computerized vector analysis revealed that slope area under investigation might be divided into 3 sections of different face directions. The safety factors for benches in each 3 sections were calculated using the limit-equilibrium theory. Then, by utilizing the concept of probabilistic risk analysis, the susceptibility of entire slope failure was estimated. Based on the distribution of safety factor in each bench, the maximum cut angle of each section could be selected differently ot achieve the permanent stability of the entire slope.