| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C518713/1 |
| Title: |
Numerical Modelling and Analysis Of Slope Stability In Fractured Rock Masses Under Effective Stress |
| Principal Investigator: |
Pine, Professor RJ |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Camborne School of Mines |
| Organisation: |
University of Exeter |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 May 2005 |
Ends: |
30 September 2008 |
Value (£): |
182,053
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Ground Engineering |
Mining & Minerals Extraction |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The stability of rock slopes affects our occupation and use of large areas of the world's landmass. There are numerous examples of slope failures which have major impacts. These include coastal cliffs, which are continually failing due to natural erosion processes and the increasing impact of sea level rise associated with climatic change. The Isle of Wight and much of the South Coast of England are good examples. There are many landslides in hilly and mountainous areas. Major highway and rail projects often involve excavation of rock slopes whose subsequent stability is essential. More than half the world's natural minerals come from large open pit excavations in rock, and the stability of the slopes in these pits is essential for safety and environmental reasons.Currently analysis and design for rock slopes mostly assumes that rock is a uniform material or is divided by natural joints into simple complete blocks. Sometimes it is even assumed that rock is so strong that there is no stability problem - this is rarely true. In a real rock mass there are families of joints with similar directions which have resulted from past mountain-building and other tectonic processes. For a fundamentaly sound model of rock masses it is most important to include the effects of the joints and groundwater realistically. The aim of this project is to create such a model for use in the design or stabilisation of the types of slope described above.Rock joints have limited dimensions, so that whilst a real rock mass appears to be divided into blocks, it is merely weakend by the joints, which rarely form complete blocks. However, when a slope is too steep or high or includes excessive groundwater, the joints extend like a crack running across a glass windscreen. As the joints extend, blocks form, the slope fails and the blocks slide or roll out with further fragmentation as they move downslope. This complete process is important for understanding the safety of steep slopes and the danger run-out areas for landslides. A very important factor for all slopes is the presence of groundwater which is supplied by rainfall or melting snow. The effect of the water is to create pressure within the rock joints and cause them to open up. This reduces the strength of the slope and increases the risk of failure.The purpose of the proposed research is to create a rock slope modelling system that includes the key factors described above. A computer model of the rock mass is first made in three-dimensions, based on field mapping of the joints and determining groundwater conditions. In the next stage, based on this data, the mechanical effects of the joints and groundwater are simulated in a complete failure process resulting from slope creation. The failure process can involve extension of existing joints or creation of new joints, depending on the local stresses and strains (which get worse for slopes closest to failure). The model will be tested against documented real slope failures and will be used to improve simpler methods of rock slope design. This completely new approach will increase understanding of rock slope failure mechanisms and will also improve economy of design.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ex.ac.uk |