Structural control on the stability of overhanging, discontinuous rock slopes

M. Tsesarsky, Y. H. Hatzor, I. Leviathan, U. Saltzman, M. Sokolowksy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Instability of overhanging cliffs depends mainly on rock mass structure and on tensile stresses that develop at the base of the slope. In this paper we present stability analysis of a 34m high overhanging cliff, transected by closely spaced horizontal beddings and three sets of vertical joints. The upper third of the cliff is cantilevered and extrudes more than 11m beyond the toe of the slope, giving rise to eccentric loading at the base of the slope and buildup of tensile stresses within the rock mass. Field observations suggest that the vertical joints which transect the entire cliff form "tension cracks" at the back of the cliff, but their distance from the face is uncertain. Yet, the nature of deformation depends upon the exact location of the vertical tensile crack. The stability of the cliff under different geometrical configurations was studied using continuous 2-D FEA and 2-D Discontinuous Deformation Analysis. Both FEA and DDA are shown to agree with field observations. Based on computational results rock bolt reinforcement was added to the DDA model. Optimal reinforcement scheme was determined using kinematical based criterions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmerican Rock Mechanics Association - 40th US Rock Mechanics Symposium, ALASKA ROCKS 2005
Subtitle of host publicationRock Mechanics for Energy, Mineral and Infrastructure Development in the Northern Regions
PublisherAmerican Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)
ISBN (Print)9781604234541
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2005
Event40th US Rock Mechanics Symposium: Rock Mechanics for Energy, Mineral and Infrastructure Development in the Northern Regions, ALASKA ROCKS 2005 - Anchorage, United States
Duration: 25 Jun 200529 Jun 2005

Publication series

NameAmerican Rock Mechanics Association - 40th US Rock Mechanics Symposium, ALASKA ROCKS 2005: Rock Mechanics for Energy, Mineral and Infrastructure Development in the Northern Regions

Conference

Conference40th US Rock Mechanics Symposium: Rock Mechanics for Energy, Mineral and Infrastructure Development in the Northern Regions, ALASKA ROCKS 2005
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnchorage
Period25/06/0529/06/05

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geology
  • Geophysics
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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