Characterization of rock slopes through slope mass rating using 3D point clouds

Rock mass classification systems are widely used tools for assessing the stability of rock slopes. Their calculation requires the prior quantification of several parameters during conventional fieldwork campaigns, such as the orientation of the discontinuity sets, the main properties of the existing discontinuities and the geo-mechanical characterization of the intact rock mass, which can be time-consuming and an often risky task. Conversely, the use of relatively new remote sensing data for modelling the rock mass surface by means of 3D point clouds is changing the current investigation strategies in different rock slope engineering applications. In this paper, the main practical issues affecting the application of Slope Mass Rating (SMR) for the characterization of rock slopes from 3D point clouds are reviewed, using three case studies from an end-user point of view. To this end, the SMR adjustment factors, which were calculated from different sources of information and processes, using the different softwares, are compared with those calculated using conventional fieldwork data. In the presented analysis, special attention is paid to the differences between the SMR indexes derived from the 3D point cloud and conventional field work approaches, the main factors that determine the quality of the data and some recognized practical issues. Finally, the reliability of Slope Mass Rating for the characterization of rocky slopes is highlighted.

Seismic Stability Analysis of a Himalayan Rock Slope

The seismic 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 rock slopes are composed of highly jointed rock mass and the joint spacing and orientation are varying at different locations. Seismic slope stability analysis of the slope under consideration is carried out using both pseudo-static approach and time response approach as the site is located in seismic zone V as per the earth quake zonation maps of India. Stability of the slope is studied numerically using program FLAC. The results obtained from the pseudo-static analysis are presented in the form of Factor of Safety (FOS) and the results obtained from the time response analysis of the slope are presented in terms of horizontal and vertical displacements along the slope. The results obtained from both the analyses confirmed the global stability of the slope as the FOS in case of pseudo-static analysis is above 1.0 and the displacements observed in case of time response analysis are within the permissible limits. This paper also presents the results obtained from the parametric analysis performed in the case of time response analysis in order to understand the effect of individual parameters on the overall stability of the slope.

Effect of Rock Mass Structure and Block Size on the Slope Stability-Physical Modeling and Discrete Element Simulation

This paper studies the stability of jointed rock slopes by using our improved three-dimensional discrete element methods (DEM) and physical modeling. Results show that the DEM can simulate all failure modes of rock slopes with different joint configurations. The stress in each rock block is not homogeneous and blocks rotate in failure development. Failure modes depend on the configuration of joints. Toppling failure is observed for the slope with straight joints and sliding failure is observed for the slope with staged joints. The DEM results are also compared with those of limit equilibrium method (LEM). Without considering the joints in rock masses, the LEM predicts much higher factor of safety than physical modeling and DEM. The failure mode and factor of safety predicted by the DEM are in good agreement with laboratory tests for any jointed rock slope.

Analysis of critical excavation depth for a jointed rock slope using a face-to-face discrete element method

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 alpha, the joint inclination angle theta as well as the strength parameters of the joints c(r) ,phi(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.

Hydrogeomechanics for rock engineering: coupling subsurface hydrogeomechanical assessement and hydrogeotechnical mapping on fracturated rock masses

The present work aims to achieve and further develop a hydrogeomechanical approach in Caldas da Cavaca hydromineral system rock mass (Aguiar da Beira, NW Portugal), and contribute to a better understanding of the hydrogeological conceptual site model. A collection of several data, namely geology, hydrogeology, rock and soil geotechnics, borehole hydraulics and hydrogeomechanics, was retrieved from three rock slopes (Lagoa, Amores and Cancela). To accomplish a comprehensive analysis and rock engineering conceptualisation of the site, a multi‐technical approach were used, such as, field and laboratory techniques, hydrogeotechnical mapping, hydrogeomechanical zoning and hydrogeomechanical scheme classifications and indexes. In addition, a hydrogeomechanical data analysis and assessment, such as Hydro‐Potential (HP)‐Value technique, JW Joint Water Reduction index, Hydraulic Classification (HC) System were applied on rock slopes. The hydrogeomechanical zone HGMZ 1 of Lagoa slope achieved higher hydraulic conductivities with poorer rock mass quality results, followed by the hydrogeomechanical zone HGMZ 2 of Lagoa slope, with poor to fair rock mass quality and lower hydraulic parameters. In addition, Amores slope had a fair to good rock mass quality and the lowest hydraulic conductivity. The hydrogeomechanical zone HGMZ 3 of Lagoa slope, and the hydrogeomechanical zones HGMZ 1 and HGMZ 2 of Cancela slope had a fair to poor rock mass quality but were completely dry. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping technologies was used in overall hydrogeological and hydrogeomechanical data integration in order to improve the hydrogeological conceptual site model.

Characterization of the instability mechanisms affecting slopes on carbonatic Flysch: Alicante (SE Spain), case study

The studied Flysch sequence of Alicante occupies a widely populated area crossed by main communication routes. The slopes existing on this area usually suffer slope instabilities that cause substantial damage and a very high maintenance cost. In order to assess the type of instability mechanisms affecting these heterogeneous carbonatic slopes, in this paper a wide inventory of 194 Flysch rock slopes has been performed, reporting the existing lithologies, their competence and their relative arrangement and the geometrical relationship between bedding and the slope and the associated instability mechanism. All these data have been jointly used for performing an instability mechanisms characterization. For systematically characterizing the wide type of complex rock exposures existing in the study area, they are divided into basic units referred as lithological pattern columns to which the different observed instability mechanisms are associated. Inventoried instability mechanisms are diverse and sometimes are combined with each other. Rockfalls are a very common instability mechanism associated to the differential weathering and sapping of the marly lithologies which are present in a wide number of geometrical combinations. The other instability mechanisms closely depend on the combination of the geometrical and lithological parameters. Therefore, this work provides a new basic tool which can be easily used during preliminary project stages for knowing the instability mechanisms which can affect rock slopes excavated on carbonatic Flysch heterogeneous geological formations.

Discontinuity spacing analysis in rock masses using 3D point clouds

The complete characterization of rock masses implies the acquisition of information of both, the materials which compose the rock mass and the discontinuities which divide the outcrop. Recent advances in the use of remote sensing techniques – such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) – allow the accurate and dense acquisition of 3D information that can be used for the characterization of discontinuities. This work presents a novel methodology which allows the calculation of the normal spacing of persistent and non-persistent discontinuity sets using 3D point cloud datasets considering the three dimensional relationships between clusters. This approach requires that the 3D dataset has been previously classified. This implies that discontinuity sets are previously extracted, every single point is labeled with its corresponding discontinuity set and every exposed planar surface is analytically calculated. Then, for each discontinuity set the method calculates the normal spacing between an exposed plane and its nearest one considering 3D space relationship. This link between planes is obtained calculating for every point its nearest point member of the same discontinuity set, which provides its nearest plane. This allows calculating the normal spacing for every plane. Finally, the normal spacing is calculated as the mean value of all the normal spacings for each discontinuity set. The methodology is validated through three cases of study using synthetic data and 3D laser scanning datasets. The first case illustrates the fundamentals and the performance of the proposed methodology. The second and the third cases of study correspond to two rock slopes for which datasets were acquired using a 3D laser scanner. The second case study has shown that results obtained from the traditional and the proposed approaches are reasonably similar. Nevertheless, a discrepancy between both approaches has been found when the exposed planes members of a discontinuity set were hard to identify and when the planes pairing was difficult to establish during the fieldwork campaign. The third case study also has evidenced that when the number of identified exposed planes is high, the calculated normal spacing using the proposed approach is minor than those using the traditional approach.

Rock movement in large-scale tests of riprap stability under wave action /

Mode of access: Internet.

Seismically-Induced Rock-Slope Failure: Numerical Investigation using the Bonded Particle Model

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-06

层状反倾向结构岩质边坡变形机理及稳定性研究

Toppling is a major failure model in anti-dip layered rock slopes. Because of the limited by testing means and experimental apparatus, present research on the deformation mechanism and stability analysis are mainly focus on the 2-Dimensional deformation, and the research really based on 3-Dimension is still limited. Therefore, based on the present research station, the article rely on the important hydroelectric project of typical anti-dip layered rock slopes -- The left bank slope of Long-tan hydropower-station in Guang Xi, China, and focused on the influencing factors, deformation mechanism and stability analysis of anti-dip layered rock slopes, three problems as follows are researched in this paper. (1) Deformation influencing factor analysis on ant-dip layered rock slopes Three influencing factors are included: geological factor, engineering factor and environmental factor. It is concluded that the toppling deformation of anti-dip layered rock slopes are more sensitive to geological and engineering factors, but less sensitive to environmental factor. In addition, the sensitivity of various factors to the rock toppling deformation is also arranged sequentially as follows: construction, gravitation, rainfall (underground water) and rock structure intensity, etc. (2) 3D deformation study on the anti-dip layered toppling rock slopes Used 3D Distinct Element Method (3DEC) analyzed the 3D deformation characteristic of anti-dip layered rock slops. It can be seen that the toppling characteristics are obvious when the inter-angle between slope direction and layer striking direction is under 20o, when the inter-angle is over 20o and equal or less than 40o，the toppling deformation characteristics decrease sharply with increase of inter-angle, when the inter-angle is over 40o , the slope deformation is not controlled by joints but influenced by other failure mode. Therefore, in order to quantify the toppling characteristics, a differential value of displacement vector angle between layered rock slope and block rock slope is proposed as a key index to distinguish failure model for anti-dip layered rock slopes, and it was applied to study the toppling of the rock slopes at Guangxi Long-tan hydropower station, China. The results indicated that the index was effective and instructive for analyzing the anti-dip layered rock slopes. (3) Stability analysis methods Because of the imperfection of some present slope analysis methods, based on slope failure mode and those three influencing factors, “slope stability entropy” method is defined in this paper, which makes good use of the sensitivity of relational matrix to influencing factors on slope stability and the qualification characteristics for information entropy to the irregularity of slope deformation. By this method, not only the randomness of geologic body on the base of dynamic analysis of slope failure mode is fully concerned, but also it makes the analysis time-saving and simple. Finally, the research findings were used to the engineering example successfully, and rational conclusion has been obtained.

大型反倾岩体变形破坏机制及稳定性分析———以金沙江宽谷坝址龙蟠边坡为例

A large number of catastrophic accidents were aroused by the instability and destruction of anti-dip rock masses in the worldwide engineering projects, such as hydropower station, mine, railways and so on. Problems in relation to deformation and failure about anti-dip rock slopes are significant for engineering geology research. This dissertation takes the Longpan slope in the Jinsha River as a case to study the deformation mechanism of large-scale anti-dip rock masses and the slope stability analysis method. The primary conclusions are as follows. The Dale Reach of Jinsha River, from Longpan to the debouchment of Chongjiang tributary, is located in the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Longpan slope is the right embankment of Dale dam, it is only 26 km to the Shigu and 18 km to Tiger Leaping Gorge. The areal geology tectonic structures here area are complicated and blurry. Base on the information of geophysical exploration (CSAMT and seismology) and engineering geological investigation, the perdue tectonic pattern of Dale Reach is put forward for the first time in this paper. Due to the reverse slip of Longpan fault and normal left-rotation of Baihanchang fault, the old faulted valley came into being. The thick riverbed sediments have layered characters of different components and corresponding causes, which attribute to the sedimentary environments according with the new tectonic movements such as periodic mountain uplifting in middle Pleistocene. Longpan slope consists of anti-dip alternate sandstone and slate stratums, and the deformable volume is 6.5×107m3 approximately. It was taken for an ancient landslide or toppling failure in the past so that Dale dam became a vexed question. Through the latest field surveying, displacement monitoring and rock masses deforming characters analyses, the geological mechanism is actually a deep-seated gravitational bending deformation. And then the discrete element method is used to simulate the deforming evolution process, the conclusion accords very well with the geo-mechanical patterns analyses. In addition strength reduction method based on DEM is introduced to evaluate the factor of safety of anti-dip rock slope, and in accordance with the expansion way of the shear yielding zones, the progressive shear failure mechanism of large-scale anti-dip rock masses is proposed for the first time. As an embankment or a close reservoir bank to the lower dam, the stability of Longpan slope especially whether or not resulting in sliding with high velocity and activating water waves is a key question for engineering design. In fact it is difficult to decide the unified slip surface of anti-dip rock slope for traditional methods. The author takes the shear yielding zones acquired form the discrete element strength reduction calculation as the potential sliding surface and then evaluates the change of excess pore pressure and factor of stability of the slope generated by rapid drawdown of ponded water. At the same time the dynamic response of the slope under seismic loading is simulated through DEM numerical modeling, the following results are obtained. Firstly the effective effect of seismic inertia force is resulting in accumulation of shear stresses. Secondly the discontinuous structures are crucial to wave transmission. Thirdly the ultimate dynamic response of slope system takes place at the initial period of seismic loading. Lastly but essentially the effect of earthquake load to bringing on deformation and failure of rock slope is the coupling effect of shear stresses and excess pore water pressure accumulation. In view of limitations in searching the critical slip surface of rock slope of the existing domestic and international software for limit equilibrium slope stability analyses, this article proposes a new method named GA-Sarma Algorithm for rock slope stability analyses. Just as its name implies, GA-Sarma Algorithm bases on Genetic Algorithm and Sarma method. GA-Sarma Algorithm assumes the morphology of slip surface to be a broken line with traceability to extend along the discontinuous surface structures, and the slice boundaries is consistent with rock mass discontinuities such as rock layers, faults, cracks, and so on. GA-Sarma Algorithm is revolutionary method that is suitable for global optimization of the critical slip surface for rock slopes. The topics and contents including in this dissertation are closely related to the difficulties in practice, the main conclusions have been authorized by the engineering design institute. The research work is very meaningful and useful for the engineering construction of Longpan hydropower station.

边坡动力响应分析及应用研究

As a marginal subject, dynamic responses of slopes is not only an important problem of engineering geology (Geotechnical problem), but also of other subjects such as seismology, geophysics, seismic engineering and engineering seismic and so on. Owning to the gulf between different subjects, it is arduous to study dynamic responses of slopes and the study is far from ripeness. Studying on the dynamic responses of slopes is very important in theories as well as practices. Supported by hundreds of bibliographies, this paper systemically details the development process of this subject, introduces main means to analyze this subject, and then gives brief remarks to each means respectively. Engineering geology qualitative analysis is the base of slopes dynamic responses study. Because of complexity of geological conditions, engineering geology qualitative analysis is very important in slopes stability study, especially to rock slopes with complex engineering geology conditions. Based on research fruits of forerunners, this paper summarizes factors influencing slopes dynamic stability into five aspects as geology background, stratums, rock mass structure, and topography as well as hydrogeology condition. Based on rock mass structure controlling theory, engineering geology model of the slope is grouped into two typical classes, one is model with obvious controlling discontinuities, which includes horizontal bedded slope, bedding slope, anti-dip slope, slide as well as slope with base rock and weathered crust; the other is model without obvious controlling discontinuities, which includes homogeneous soil slope, joint rock mass slope. Study on slope failure mechanism under dynamic force, the paper concludes that there are two effects will appear in slope during strong earthquake, one is earthquake inertia force, the other is ultra pore pressure buildup. The two effects lead to failure of the slope. To different types of slope failure, the intensity of two effects acting on the slope is different too. To plastic flow failure, pore pressure buildup is dominant; to falling rock failure and toppling failure, earthquake inertia force is dominant in general. This paper briefly introduces the principle of Lagrangian element method. Through a lot of numerical simulations with FLAC3D, the paper comprehensively studies dynamic responses of slopes, and finds that: if the slope is low, displacement, velocity and acceleration are linear enlarging with elevation increasing in vertical direction; if the slope is high enough, displacement, velocity and acceleration are not linear with elevation any more, on the other hand, they fluctuate with certain rhythm. At the same time, the rhythm appears in the horizontal direction in the certain area near surface of the slope. The distribution form of isoline of displacement, velocity and acceleration in the section of the slope is remarkably affected by the slope angle. In the certain area near the slope surface, isoline of displacement, velocity and acceleration is parallel to the surface of the slope, in the mean time, the strike direction of the extreraum area is parallel to the surface of the slope too. Beyond this area, the isoline direction and the strike direction of the extremum area turn to horizontal with invariable distance. But the rhythm appearing or not has nothing to with the slope angle. The paper defines the high slope effect and the low slope effect of slopes dynamic responses, discusses the threshold height H^t of the dynamic high slope effect, and finds that AW is proportional to square root of the dynamic elastic moduli El P , at the same time, it is proportional to period Tof the dynamic input. Thus, the discriminant of H^t is achieved. The discriminant can tell us that to a slope, if its height is larger than one fifth of the wavelength, its response regular will be the dynamic high slope effect; on the other hand, its response regular will be the dynamic low slope effect. Based on these, the discriminant of different slopes taking on same response under the same dynamic input is put forward in this paper. At the same time, the paper studies distribution law of the rhythm extremum point of displacement, velocity and acceleration, and finds that there exists relationship of N = int among the slope height H, the number of the rhythm extremum VHlhro) point N and ffthre- Furthermore, the paper points out that if N^l, the response of the slope will be dynamic high slope effect; \fN

Taludes rochosos. Metodologias de inspecção e de avalialição de segurança. Caso de estudo das vertentes rochosas de S. Simão

A instabilização de taludes rochosos, com consequências mais ou menos gravosas, repete-se com frequência no território nacional. Os enquadramentos destes incidentes são diversos, sendo mais comum e mais visível a sua ocorrência em taludes adjacentes a vias de comunicação. No entanto, o fenómeno repete-se também em vertentes naturais, geralmente em alturas de pluviosidade mais prolongada e intensa. No presente trabalho reveem-se conceitos associados a maciços rochosos, nomeadamente as principais classificações geotécnicas e as diferentes tipologias de instabilidade em taludes rochosos. Desenvolve-se um caso de estudo de uma vertente localizada em S. Simão, concelho de Amarante. Percorrem-se as sucessivas fases de estudo, incluindo a realização da fotografia aérea com recurso a um veículo não tripulado, a geração de um modelo 3D de elevada precisão da vertente e a caracterização e a classificação dos diferentes afloramentos rochosos. Desenvolve-se uma metodologia de inspeção com a criação de dois conjuntos de fichas e propõe-se o agravamento da classificação das anomalias perante a simultaneidade de ocorrência de anomalias de idêntica gravidade e a hierarquização dos blocos potencialmente instáveis, de acordo com os respetivos níveis de gravidade (NGB). Recorre-se ao programa de modelação da queda de blocos, “Rocfall (4.0”, da “Rocscience”, a partir de trajetórias definidas no modelo 3D gerado e propõem-se soluções de reforço e de proteção da vertente.

Anatomia de escapos de Tillandsia L. (Bromeliaceae) dos Campos Gerais do Paraná, Brasil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)