A Numerical Study on Toppling Failure of a Jointed Rock Slope by Using the Distinct Lattice Spring Model

• Published in: Rock mechanics and rock engineering Vol. 51; no. 2; pp. 513 - 530
• Main Authors: Lian, Ji-Jian, Li, Qin, Deng, Xi-Fei, Zhao, Gao-Feng, Chen, Zu-Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01.02.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Boundary conditions; Centrifuges; Civil Engineering; Computer simulation; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Failure; Finite element method; Geophysics/Geodesy; Gravitation; Gravity; Inclination; Jointed rock; Joints (timber); Mathematical models; Original Paper; Rocks; Slope; Solutions; Spring; Distinct lattice spring model; Toppling failure; Jointed rock slope; Gravity increase method
• ISSN: 0723-2632; 1434-453X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00603-017-1323-y

In this work, toppling failure of a jointed rock slope is studied by using the distinct lattice spring model (DLSM). The gravity increase method (GIM) with a sub-step loading scheme is implemented in the DLSM to mimic the loading conditions of a centrifuge test. A classical centrifuge test for a jointed rock slope, previously simulated by the finite element method and the discrete element model, is simulated by using the GIM-DLSM. Reasonable boundary conditions are obtained through detailed comparisons among existing numerical solutions with experimental records. With calibrated boundary conditions, the influences of the tensional strength of the rock block, cohesion and friction angles of the joints, as well as the spacing and inclination angles of the joints, on the flexural toppling failure of the jointed rock slope are investigated by using the GIM-DLSM, leading to some insight into evaluating the state of flexural toppling failure for a jointed slope and effectively preventing the flexural toppling failure of jointed rock slopes.