scholarly journals Rock Slope Stability Assessment Along Rawanduz Main Road, Kurdistan Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (1B) ◽  
pp. 79-93
Author(s):  
Rebaz Qader

The rock slope instability along the Khalifan-Bekhal-Rawanduz main road has been studied in the southwestern limb of the Bradost anticline (Mountain) and both northeastern and southwestern limb of the Korek anticline (Mountain) in the northeast of the Erbil city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The major factors of the instability of the rock slopes in the study area are types of discontinuous and the degree of erosion. Ten stations have been chosen for fieldwork. The expected failure types that may occur along the road are plane sliding and wedge sliding. This research is mainly focused on the type of failure along the rock slope and the factor that affect the instability of the studied slopes and have found that they are slope orientation and geometry of the discontinuity. Different remediation methods are proposed for the studied rock slopes base on rock slope analysis. The rock slopes along the road require continuous monitoring because of their hazard conditions.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hossein Taherynia ◽  
Mojtaba Mohammadi ◽  
Rasoul Ajalloeian

Assessment of the stability of natural and artificial rock slopes is an important topic in the rock mechanics sciences. One of the most widely used methods for this purpose is the classification of the slope rock mass. In the recent decades, several rock slope classification systems are presented by many researchers. Each one of these rock mass classification systems uses different parameters and rating systems. These differences are due to the diversity of affecting parameters and the degree of influence on the rock slope stability. Another important point in rock slope stability is appraisal hazard and risk analysis. In the risk analysis, the degree of danger of rock slope instability is determined. The Lashotor pass is located in the Shiraz-Isfahan highway in Iran. Field surveys indicate that there are high potentialities of instability in the road cut slopes of the Lashotor pass. In the current paper, the stability of the rock slopes in the Lashotor pass is studied comprehensively with different classification methods. For risk analyses, we estimated dangerous area by use of the RocFall software. Furthermore, the dangers of falling rocks for the vehicles passing the Lashotor pass are estimated according to rockfall hazard rating system.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Mamot ◽  
Samuel Weber ◽  
Saskia Eppinger, ◽  
Michael Krautblatter

Abstract. In the last two decades, permafrost degradation has been observed to be a major driver of enhanced rock slope instability and associated hazards in high mountains. While the thermal regime of permafrost degradation in high mountains has already been intensively investigated, the mechanical consequences on rock slope stability have so far not been reproduced in numerical models. Laboratory studies and conceptual models argue that warming and thawing decrease rock and discontinuity strength and promote deformation. This study presents the first general approach for a temperature-dependent numerical stability model that simulates the mechanical response of a warming and thawing permafrost rock slope. The proposed procedure is applied to a rockslide at the permafrost-affected Zugspitze summit crest. Laboratory tests on frozen and unfrozen rock joint and intact rock properties provide material parameters for the discontinuum model developed with the Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC). Geophysical and geotechnical field surveys deliver information on the permafrost distribution and fracture network. The model demonstrates that warming decreases rock slope stability to a critical level, while thawing initiates failure. A sensitivity analysis of the model with a simplified geometry and warming trajectory below 0 °C shows that progressive warming close to the melting point initiates instability above a critical slope angle of 50–62°, depending on the orientation of the fracture network. The increase in displacements intensifies for warming steps closer to zero degree. The simplified and generalised model can be applied to permafrost rock slopes (i) which warm above −4 °C, (ii), with ice-filled joints, (iii) with fractured limestone or probably most of the rock types relevant for permafrost rock slope failure, (iv) with a wide range of slope angles (30–70°) and orientations of the fracture network (consisting of three joint sets). The presented model is the first one capable of assessing the future destabilisation of degrading permafrost rock slopes.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Hsuan Chang ◽  
Cheng-Han Lin ◽  
Ming-Lang Lin

<p>Joint persistence and groundwater are critical factors that influence the stability of rock slope. Persistence dominates the extent of pre-existing potential failure surfaces. Under certain conditions, slope instability may vary with time, as the propagation of existing joints leads to the development of fully persistence failure surfaces. At the same time, groundwater may travel through the fracture network and provides an external force to unstable rock masses, resulting in the damage of rock slope failure hard to predict. In general, when a rock slope consists of two or more sets of joints, the wedge failure often becomes the initial structurally controlled failure of a progressive large landslide. A classic case, which was occurred at a steep cut rock slope on 32.5k, Provincial Highway 7, Taiwan, had been completely recorded with UAV-surveys, field investigations and witness. The landslide first occurred on 13th May 2019 as a wedge failure with the magnitude of the volume of 892 m<sup>3</sup> and resulted in a large landslide on 29th July 2019 with the magnitude of the volume of 37234 m<sup>3</sup>, destroyed the protection measures and roads. According to the field investigation, groundwater was discovered flowing out from the line of intersection of persistence joints, which could be the main reason leads to the wedge failure and the progressive large rockslide. Hence, the couple mechanics-hydraulic behavior in a rock slope should be studied in more detail to mitigate such hazards.</p><p>In this study, sandbox model was applied to clarify the effects of the groundwater and joint friction on failures of single rock wedge. In addition, the software 3DEC, which is based on Distinct Element method, was carried out to extent the analysis conditions. The results of sandbox simulations were used to calibrate the performance of the numerical model, especially the coupled hydro-mechanical analysis. The stability of jointed rock slopes under different persistence and various water pressure conditions has been studied. It is believed that the study can enhance the way for stability analysis and monitoring of the potential failure of jointed rock slopes.</p><p>Keywords: Wedge failure; Joint persistence; Groundwater; Rock slope stability.</p><p> </p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niccolò Menegoni ◽  
Daniele Giordan ◽  
Cesare Perotti

<p>Among the several adopted methods for the kinematic analysis of the possible modes of failure that could affect a rock slope, the Markland test is the most used. Whereas, it has the advantage of being simple and fast, it has some limits, as the impossibility to manually consider the several different slope orientations and their interaction with the discontinuity dimensions and positions.</p><p>Recently, the improvements in the Remote Piloted Aerial System (RPAS) digital photogrammetry techniques for the development and mapping of Digital Outcrop Models (DOMs) have given the possibility of developing new automatized digital approaches. In this study, ROKA (ROck slope Kinematic Analysis) algorithm is presented. It is an open-source algorithm, written in MATLAB language, which aims to perform the kinematic analysis of the stability of a rock slope using the discontinuity measurements collected onto 3D DOMs. Its main advantage is the possibility to identify the possible critical combination between the 3D georeferenced discontinuities and the local surface of the slope. In particular, the critical combinations that can activate the planar sliding, flexural toppling, wedge sliding and direct toppling modes of failures can be detected and highlighted directly on the DOM. Hence, the ROKA algorithm can make the traditional approach for the kinematic analysis of a rock slope more effective, allowing not only to simplify the analysis, but also to increase its detail. This can be very important, in particular, for the analysis of large and complex rock slopes.</p>


2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 1350044 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHUHONG WANG ◽  
PENGPENG NI

Rock slopes stability has been one of the fundamental issues facing geotechnical engineering researchers. Due to the pre-existing joints, the intactness of the rock is weakened. The mechanical characteristics are changed correspondingly along with joint-induced stress redistribution within the rock mass if the sliding limit at the joint or part of it is exceeded. In this study, spatial block topological identification techniques are applied to distinguish all blocks cut by 3D finite random or fixed discontinuities. Based on the available photographic information of rock slopes, the sliding forces and the corresponding factor of safety are evaluated through limit equilibrium conditions by the classic block theory. The rock slope stability analysis software, GeoSMA-3D (Geotechnical Structure and Model Analysis), satisfying the requirements of spatial block modeling, joint plane simulation, key block identification and analysis and sliding process display, was developed. The application of such a software on the analysis of a rock slope, which is located near the inlet of Daiyuling No. 1 tunnel on the Zhuanghe–Gaizhou highway networks, was performed. The assessed results were compared with the monitored data to validate the effectiveness of such software.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faridha Aprilia ◽  
I Gde Budi Indrawan

The stability of rock slopes is controlled by several factors, such as the intact rock strength, discontinuity characteristics, groundwater condition, and slope geometry. Limit equilibrium (LE) analyses have been commonly used in geotechnical practice to evaluate the stability of rock slopes. A number of methods of LE analyses, ranging from simple to sophisticated methods, have been developed. This paper presents stability analyses of rock slopes at the Batu Hijau open mine in Sumbawa Barat using various methods of LE analyses. The LE analyses were conducted at three cross sections of the northern wall of the open mine using the Bishop Simplified, Janbu Simplified, Janbu Generalised, and General Limit Equilibrium (GLE) methods in Slide slope stability package. In addition, a Plane Failure (PF) analysis was performed manually. Shear strength data of the discontinuity planes used in the LE analyses were obtained from back analyses of previous rock slope failures. The LE analysis results showed that the rock slopes were likely to have shallow non-circular critical failure surfaces. The factor of safety (Fs) values obtained from the Bishop Simplified, Janbu Simplified, Janbu Generalised, and GLE methods were found to be similar, while the Fs values obtained from the PF method were higher than those obtained from the more rigorous methods. Keywords: Batu Hijau mine, Bishop Simplified, Janbu Simplified, Janbu Generalised, limit equilibrium analyses, general limit equilibrium, rock slope stability, plane failure.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Paul

Collapsing valley glaciers leaving their bed to rush down a flat hill slope at the speed of a racing car are so far rare events. They have only been reported for the Kolkaglacier (Caucasus) in 2002 and the two glaciers in the Aru mountain range (Tibet) that failed in 2016. Both events have been studied in detail using satellite data and modeling to learn more about the reasons for and processes related to such events. This study reports about a series of so far undocumented glacier collapses that occurred in the Amney Machen mountain range (eastern Tibet) in 2004, 2007, and 2016. All three collapses were associated with a glacier surge, but from 1987 to 1995, the glacier surged without collapsing. The later surges and collapses were likely triggered by a progressing slope instability that released large amounts of ice and rock to the lower glacier tongue, distorting its dynamic stability. The surges and collapses might continue in the future as more ice and rock is available to fall on the glacier. It has been speculated that the development is a direct response to regional temperature increase that destabilized the surrounding hanging glaciers. However, the specific properties of the steep rock slopes and the glacier bed might also have played a role.


2012 ◽  
Vol 170-173 ◽  
pp. 375-379
Author(s):  
Hao Wang ◽  
Zi Xiong Chen ◽  
Dong Ming Zhang

The rocky slope instability has brought great danger to human activity, and often causes economic losses, property damage and casualties, also can cause huge overhead expenses. Rock slope stability analysis must understand the geological conditions as the foundation, be under the analysis to effects of geological factors of rock slope stability, be under the premise of analysis to the engineering geological factors and then make evaluation, this is the best method of analysis and evaluation of stability of rock slope effective. This paper utilizes quick Lagrange difference analysis (FLAC3D) to Zhu Jiadeng landslide in Chongqing, the numerical simulations are to determine the landslide static stability, and provide the basis for management.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davood Fereidooni ◽  
Gholam Reza Khanlari ◽  
Mojtaba Heidari

<p>This paper explores the applicability of a modified Q classification system and its component parameters for analysis and conclusion of site investigation data to estimate rock slope stability. Based on the literature, Q classification system has high applicable potential for evaluation of rock mass quality. Therefore, in this study, it was used with RMR and SMR rock mass classification systems to assess stability or instability of different rock slopes along the Hamedan-Ganjnameh-Tuyserkan road, Hamedan province west of Iran. Furthermore, a modified rock mass classification system namely Slope Quality Rating (SQR) was proposed based on the correction of the Q classification parameters and calculating some new parameters such as dip and strike of discontinuities and the method of rock excavation or blasting. For this purpose, the SMR and RMR rock mass classifications were also needed. By measuring SQR for different rock slopes, it will be possible to measure Slope Mass Rating (SMR).</p><p> </p><p><strong>Evaluación del sistema Q modificado de clasificación del macizo rocoso para el análisis de estabilidad de pendiente de roca</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Resumen</strong></p>Este artículo explora la aplicabilidad del sistema de clasificación Q modificado y sus parámetros para analizar y determinar la información estimada de estabilidad de pendiente de roca en el sitio determinado de estudio. Según la literatura, el sistema de clasificación Q tiene un alto potencial de aplicabilidad paral a evaluación de la calidad del macizo rocoso. En este estudio además se utilizó el sistema Q junto con los sistemas Índice de Masa de Pendiente (SMR) y Clasificación Geomecánica de Bienawski (RMR) para evaluar la estabilidad e inestabilidad de diferentes pendientes rocosas en la carretera Hamedan-Ganjnameh-Tuyserkan, de la provincia de Hamedan, en el Oeste de Irán. Además, se propone el Índice de Calidad de Pendiente (SQR), un sistema de clasificación de macizo rocoso modificado, a partir de la corrección de los parámetros de clasificación Q y el cálculo de nuevos parámetros como pendiente y caída de las discontinuidades y el método de excavación o explosión de la roca. Para esta propuesta también se utilizaron las clasificaciones SMR y RMR. La medición SQR en diferentes pendientes hizo posible el cálculo del sistema SMR.</p>


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