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

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.539-554
• /
• 2023

This article is dedicated to the pursuit of establishing a robust empirical relationship that allows for the estimation of in-situ modulus of deformations (E_m and G_m) within sedimentary rock slope masses through the utilization of Q_slope values. To achieve this significant objective, an expansive and thorough methodology is employed, encompassing a comprehensive field survey, meticulous sample collection, and rigorous laboratory testing. The study sources a total of 26 specimens from five distinct locations within the South Pars (known as Assalouyeh) region, ensuring a representative dataset for robust correlations. The results of this extensive analysis reveal compelling empirical connections between E_m, geomechanical characteristics of the rock mass, and the calculated Q_slope values. Specifically, these relationships are expressed as follows: E_m = 2.859 Q_slope + 4.628 (R² = 0.554), and G_m = 1.856 Q_slope + 3.008 (R² = 0.524). Moreover, the study unravels intriguing insights into the interplay between in-situ deformation moduli and the widely utilized Rock Mass Rating (RMR) computations, leading to the formulation of equations that facilitate predictions: RMR = 18.12 E_m0.460 (R² = 0.798) and RMR = 22.09 G_m0.460 (R² = 0.766). Beyond these correlations, the study delves into the intricate relationship between RMR and Rock Quality Designation (RQD) with Qslope values. The findings elucidate the following relationships: RMR = 34.05e^0.33Qslope (R² = 0.712) and RQD = 31.42e^0.549Qslope (R² = 0.902). Furthermore, leveraging the insights garnered from this comprehensive analysis, the study offers an empirically derived support system tailored to the distinct characteristics of discontinuous rock slopes, grounded firmly within the framework of the Q_slope methodology. This holistic approach contributes significantly to advancing the understanding of sedimentary rock slope stability and provides valuable tools for informed engineering decisions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.12-20
• /
• 2004

This study was carried out from January 1998 to December 1999 to report the revegetation of cutting-rock slopes and a design standard in the highway cut-slopes. The field data was collected from the 67 sites cutting-rock slopes of highways, local roads, and field test. As the result of analyze, cutting-rock slopes revegetation measures were 16 types. There were Vine planting(3 types), Hydroseeding measures with seed-fertilizer-soil materials(5 types), Vegetaion-base spraying measures(5 types), and Stability measures(3 types). The factors affecting the plant coverage rates of cutting-rock slopes were the slope gradient, the slope width and direction. The plant coverage rate decreases in the condition of steep slope and long slope width and length(height). In addition, the plant coverage rates of the westward and southward were lower than that of the northward and eastward. Most dominant species were Zoysia japonica, Lespedeza cyrtobotrya, Lespedeza cuneata, Rubus crataegifolius, Miscanthus sinensis, Arrundinella hirta, Themeda triandra, and Oenothera odorata. Exotic species were Eragrostis curvula(Weeping lovegrass), Dactylis glomerata Orchardgrass), Lolium perenne(Perennial ryegrass), and Festuca arundinacea(Tall fescue). It is recommended to adjust the proposed factor as environment, topsoil, classification of rock, field condition and characteristic related with revegetation measures on slopes for the presentation of revegetation standard.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.1183-1191
• /
• 2018

Reliability analysis is generally regarded as the most appropriate method when uncertainties are taken into account in slope designs. With the help of limit analysis, probability evaluation for three-dimensional rock slope stability was conducted based upon the Mote Carlo method. The nonlinear Hoek-Brown failure criterion was employed to reflect the practical strength characteristics of rock mass. A form of stability factor is used to perform reliability analysis for rock slopes. Results show that the variation of strength uncertainties has significant influence on probability of failure for rock slopes, as well as strength constants. It is found that the relationship between probability of failure and mean safety factor is independent of the magnitudes of input parameters but relative to the variability of variables. Due to the phenomenon, curves displaying this relationship can provide guidance for designers to obtain factor of safety according to required failure probability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.83-94
• /
• 2007

Test application of revegetation measure was made on the roadside slope damaged by Gimcheon-Eomo national road improvement project in a bid to prevent the soil from being washed out as well as to restore the ecological environment, and the survey for assessing the effect of slope revegetation measures was conducted, beginning Sep 7 through Sep 20, 2006. In the wake of comprehensive reviewing and evaluating the surrounding topographic environment, physical and chemical characteristics of soil, germination of revegetation plants, analysis of bio mass, covering ratio and the plants appeared, revegetation measure C was found to have been most effective and desirable for further application in the area. Viewing the specific applicability by the area, revegetation measure C and C-1 appeared to be appropriate for blasting rock slope and ripping rock slope as they are efficient in preventing the slope from being washed out and in early revegetating. And revegetation measure B deemed to be effective to blasting rock slope or ripping rock slope as an alternative. And for cut slope, vegetation measure C-2 was judged to be more effective than measure D or E, while measure C-3 would be appropriateto embankment slope.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.16 no.6 s.65
• /
• pp.506-525
• /
• 2006

For the design of large scale rock slope which has complex formations and geological structures, generally, insufficiency of geotechnical investigations and laboratory tests are the main factors of slope failures doling construction. In such case, remedial measures to stabilize slope should be selected and applied through reliable investigations and analysis considering the geotechnical characteristics. The rock slope of this study, one of the largest cut slopes in Korea with a length of 520.0 m and maximum height of 122.0 m consists of metasedimentary rocks. And a case study on the causes of large-scale rock slope failure was carried out by analysis of landslides history and site investigations during construction. When the slope with the original design slope of 0.7: 1.0 (H:V) was partially constructed, the slope failure was occurred due to the factors such as poor conditions of rocks (weathered zone, coaly shale and fault shear zone), various discontinuities (joints, foliations and faults), severe rain storm and so on. The types of failures were rockfall, circular failure, wedge failure and the combination of these types. So, the design of slope was changed three times to ensure long-term slope stability. This paper is intended to be a useful reference for analyzing and estimating the stability of rock slopes whose site conditions are similar to those of this study site such as geological structures and geotechnical properties.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.723-738
• /
• 2017

Rock is a heterogeneous material, which introduces complexity in the analysis of rock slopes, since both the existing discontinuities within the rock mass and the intact rock contribute to the degradation of strength. Rock failure is often catastrophic due to the brittle nature of the material, involving the sliding along structural planes and the fracturing of rock bridge. This paper proposes an advanced discretization method of rock mass based on block theory. An in-house software, GeoSMA-3D, has been developed to generate the discrete fracture network (DFN) model, considering both measured and artificial joints. Measured joints are obtained from the photogrammetry analysis on the excavation face. Statistical tools then facilitate to derive artificial joints within the rock mass. Key blocks are searched to provide guidance on potential reinforcement measures. The discretized blocky system is subsequently implemented into a discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) code. Strength reduction technique is employed to analyze the stability of the slope, where the factor of safety can be obtained once excessive deformation of slope profile is observed. The combined analysis approach also provides the failure mode, which can be used to guide the choice of strengthening strategy if needed. Finally, an illustrated example is presented for the analysis of a rock slope of 20 m height inclined at $60^{\circ}$ using combined GeoSMA-3D and DDA calculation.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.83-91
• /
• 2002

Stability analysis of rocky embankment slopes is done by both the limit equilibrium method and the finite difference method. The height or the rocky embankment is approximately 40 m and the side slope is 1 vertical to 1.5 horizontal. The cohesion and internal friction angle of rock debris are assumed zero and 43$^{\circ}$, respectively. For finite difference analysis, strength reduction method is used to calculate the saft factor of the slope. As a result, the safety factor of the slope is discovered to be 1.4 by using either methods. Considering that the design criteria of the safety factor is 1.3, it can be judged that the rock fragments embankment slope is in a stable state.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.655-667
• /
• 2018

To evaluate the stability of a rock slope with one pre-exiting vertical crack, this paper performs corresponding probabilistic stability analysis. The existence of cracks is generally ignored in traditional deterministic stability analysis. However, they are widely found in either cohesive soil or rock slopes. The influence of one pre-exiting vertical crack on a rock slope is considered in this study. The safety factor, which is usually adopted to quantity the stability of slopes, is derived through the deterministic computation based on the strength reduction technique. The generalized Hoek-Brown (HB) failure criterion is adopted to characterize the failure of rock masses. Considering high nonlinearity of the limit state function as using nonlinear HB criterion, the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) is used to accurately approximate the implicit limit state function of a rock slope. Then the MARS is integrated with Monte Carlo simulation to implement reliability analysis, and the influences of distribution types, level of uncertainty, and constants on the probability density functions and failure probability are discussed. It is found that distribution types of random variables have little influence on reliability results. The reliability results are affected by a combination of the uncertainty level and the constants. Finally, a reliability-based design figure is provided to evaluate the safety factor of a slope required for a target failure probability.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.16 no.2 s.61
• /
• pp.146-155
• /
• 2006

The target slope of this study, formed during the construction of highway, is the very high infinite slope where sliding began along the discontinuity. Although an attempt was made to stabilize the upper part of the slope by installing the rock anchors, large scale failure was occurred at the lower part if the reinforced area. Afterwards, subsequent failures were observed two times. To investigate the cause of the failure, residual shear strength was measured by performing the direct shear test of rock specimen of the site. The anchor design was based on the pull-out test. Considering the slope surface where the undulation was severe and the variation of strength was very large, buttressing was used to obtain the required anchoring capacity.