Assessing the Stability of Dip Slopes Based on Analyzing the Stress at a Key Point on the Sliding Surface

Abstract

Dip slopes are often encountered in deep-cut canyons and engineering projects. Such slopes, when they become unstable, commonly undergo bi-planar failure, and this mode of failure tends to produce the widest-ranging effects. In this work, a novel method is proposed for assessing the potential of a slope to undergo bi-planar failure based on a stress analysis at a key point on the sliding surface, namely, the point at which the two sections of the sliding surface are connected. Discrete-element simulations are first carried out to capture the essence of the penetration process of the bi-planar sliding surface based on displacement results, plastic failure, and principal stress development. Then, the key point on the sliding surface is skillfully selected according to the sliding surface penetration process, and the characteristics of the stress changes leading to slope failure are investigated using the stress analysis method. Subsequently, considering the stress states of this key point both in the overlying rock strata and in the intact rock at the toe of the slope, a novel method is proposed for assessing the stability of the dip slope and predicting the bi-planar failure surface formed. The stability of dip slopes was subsequently analyzed using both numerical and theoretical methods. The results obtained are highly consistent, confirming the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method. The results also show that the bi-planar failure process is progressive and that the range of the failure is mainly located in the stress reduction zone. Moreover, the critical height of the dip slope remains approximately unchanged as the stratum thickness is changed. However, it decreases as the slope angle increases and increases linearly if the strength of either the rock or joints is increased. Additionally, if the joint strength is low, the dip slope undergoes buckling failure—increasing the joint strength, however, increases the likelihood of the occurrence of bi-planar failure. The proposed method offers a novel approach to assessing and designing dip slopes.