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Stability Analysis of A Bedded Weak Rock Slope: ARMA 18-788
Stability Analysis of A Bedded Weak Rock Slope: ARMA 18-788
Stability Analysis of A Bedded Weak Rock Slope: ARMA 18-788
ABSTRACT: Stability analysis of weak rock slopes with daylighting bedding planes pose a challenge as a number of competing
mechanisms of failure involving failure through the weak rock mass and sliding on the bedding plane are at play. A bedded weak
rock slope was analyzed using limit equilibrium analysis and finite difference analysis with shear strength reduction method. The
effect of long term cohesion degradation on slope stability was explored using perfectly-plastic and strain weakening models. Lower
values of rock mass cohesion led to lower factors of safety and smaller zones of failure. Excluding the weak bedding plane from
shear strength reduction resulted in a considerable increase in the critical shear strength reduction factor and a smaller zone of failure.
The critical shear strength reduction factors from strain weakening models were in between those obtained from perfectly-plastic
models using the peak and residual values of cohesion. This illustrates that stability of slopes in strain weakening materials can be
dangerously overestimated assuming peak strength and unnecessarily underestimated using residual strength.
More realistic material models such as strain weakening
1. INTRODUCTION
can be implemented in full stress analysis using finite
Slope stability analysis has long been a subject of interest difference or finite element methods. While stress
in geotechnical engineering and numerous approaches analysis with a given material model and associated
have been suggested over the years. Currently, limit parameters provides stress and displacement distribution
equilibrium analysis (LEA) is carried out in most practical within the slope, it does not automatically give the factor
applications to determine slope factor of safety. In this of safety. Implementing the Shear Strength Reduction
approach, the deriving and resisting forces and/or (SSR) method in stress analysis makes it possible to also
moments acting on a potential sliding mass are used to estimate the factor of safety. In this method, shear strength
calculate the corresponding factor of safety. parameters of the model are gradually adjusted to bring
Implementing a slip surface search algorithm, it is the slope to the verge of equilibrium which is the
possible to find the critical slip surface with the lowest boundary between numerical convergence and
factor of safety (Krahn, 2003). divergence. The ratio of actual strength parameters to
Since limit equilibrium analysis is solely based on adjusted parameters at limit equilibrium is used to
equilibrium of forces and moments, displacements never estimate slope factor of safety. In this approach, no
enter the equations. It means that limit equilibrium assumptions or secondary algorithms are required to find
analysis cannot provide any information regarding the the critical slip surface as it naturally develops during
amount and rate of slope displacement. Perhaps more numerical analysis.
importantly, it implies that driving and resisting forces are It has been shown that the results of limit equilibrium
independent of displacements. This corresponds to analysis and shear strength reduction method are in
assuming a perfectly-plastic behavior in which strength reasonable agreement for slopes with simple geometry
remains constant after failure. As much as this assumption and perfectly-plastic behavior (Dawson et al, 1999). For
is questionable and contrary to the observed behavior of strain weakening materials, however, proper comparison
most geomaterials, it is deeply rooted in many commonly- between the two methods is less clear as limit equilibrium
used methods of geotechnical analysis and design due to analysis does not take into account displacement and
its simplicity. thereby displacement-dependent strength.
Fig. 1. Weak bedding planes and stress release fractures bedding plane or rain-fall induced pore pressures
associated with valley rebound in weak rocks (Adapted from developing along the back of block.
Patton and Hendron, 1974).
One of the most common means of simulating instability
mechanism in clay rich rocks assumes elastic-perfectly
In this study, stability of a bedded weak rock slope is plastic behavior for the rock mass. This is the assumption
investigated using the perfectly-plastic and strain underpinning the limit equilibrium analysis method of
weakening material models. Limit equilibrium analysis slices. In order for this instability mechanism to be viable,
and strength reduction method were adopted. The effect the cohesion of the rock mass must already be very low
of strain weakening behavior on the slip surface is
or none existent. In natural weak rock slopes found in
investigated and the results of stability analysis using
Western Canada, this mechanism is unlikely.
different methods and models are compared.
It is well known that weak clay rich rocks are susceptible
to a gradual loss of strength due to cohesion weakening.
2. INSTABILITY MECHANISMS IN BEDDED This cohesion loss can be related to the classical
WEAK ROCK SLOPES mechanism of “softening” first described by Terzaghi
River down cutting in weak rocks is known to produce (1936) for overconsolidated stiff clays. Alternatively,
valley rebound causing shearing displacements along progressive loosening of the slope as valley rebound
weak bedding planes and sub vertical stress release occurs and stress release fractures form could also aid in
fractures on the valley walls (Figure 1). Ferguson (1967) reducing the cohesion of the rock mass. The process of
first described these features in excavations in the cohesion loss can be captured using a strain weakening
Allegheny Plateau, and Matheson and Thompson (1973) model were the progressive loss of cohesion is a function
reported similar observations for excavations in the Clay of plastic strain. Such an approach has been used to
Shales of Western Canada. simulate cohesion loss in brittle rocks (Hajiabdolmajid et
al., 2002; Diederichs, 2007; Rafiei Renani and Martin,
Instability mechanisms in weak rocks with bedding- 2018).
controlled rupture surfaces were reviewed by
Morgenstern (1990), Bromhead (2013) and Alonso and
and Pinyol (2014). When addressing stability concerns in
these materials, the first and dominant issue is to assess
whether or not pre-existing slip surfaces exist. If weak
bedding planes are identified the next step is to establish
the operational strength of the weak rock matrix.
However, in order to estimate rock mass strength, an Fig. 2. Instability mechanisms in weak rock slopes with a
instability mechanism must be assumed. bedding plane rupture surface.
1
425
400
1.567
375
550
350
525
100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 325 350 375
1
425
400
375
350550
525
100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 325 350 375
1
425
400
375
350
100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 325 350 375
Fig. 4. Results of LEA and SSR method with a perfectly-plastic model and high water table.
2.0 2.0
Critical SSR Factor
Factor of Safety
1.5 1.5
Dry Dry
1.0 Low WT 1.0 Low WT
High WT High WT
0.5 0.5
0.0 0.0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Cohesion (kPa) Cohesion (kPa)
Fig. 5. FOS from LEA and Critical SSR Factor from SSR method with a perfectly-plastic model.
200 6.0
Fig. 6. Effect of rock mass cohesion on length of failure on Fig. 8. Critical SSR Factor using a perfectly-plastic model
the bedding plane. and bedding plane excluded from shear strength reduction.
Bedding plane included in shear strength reduction, Critical SSR Factor = 2.16
Bedding plane excluded from shear strength reduction, Critical SSR Factor = 3.92
Fig. 7. Slip surface and Critical SSR Factor using a perfectly-plastic model.
Bedding plane excluded from shear strength reduction, Critical SSR Factor = 2.40
Fig. 9. Critical SSR Factor and shear bands obtained from SSR method with a strain weakening model.