Abstract
The cycle of the freeze-thaw action must be taken into account in the stability analysis of an open pit slope in the high-altitude and cold regions, because the natural process of freeze-thaw poses a significant effect on mechanical properties of the rock mass. To achieve this purpose, a linear relationship between the geological strength index (GSI) and the Tianshan slope rock mass rating (TSMR) system is established considering the effect of the freeze-thaw action by introducing a freeze-thaw correction coefficient δ. The GSI value is modified for rock mass in high-altitude and cold regions. The improved Hoek-Brown criterion considers the influences of the freeze-thaw action and steep and gentle slopes. The research outcome is applied in the No. 4 minefield open pit coal mine in the Muli mining area. Numerical calculations are performed by inputting rock mass mechanical parameters obtained in traditional and modified criterions, to discuss the influences of the freeze-thaw action on the stabilities of both the present mining slope and the final slope at the end of the designed mining. The results show that the safety factors of the original slope are 2.33 and 1.67, respectively, while after the modification, they are 2.14 and 1.61, respectively. In terms of the No. 4 minefield open pit coal mine, the slope stability meets the design requirement, although taking the freeze-thaw cycle into account.
Highlights
Slope stability analysis has always been one of the basic problems in the field of geotechnical engineering
Reasonable determination of rock mass mechanical parameters is the basis of slope stability analysis and slope treatment, and it is one of the difficulties in rock mechanics research and development [6]
The No 4 minefield open pit coal mine in the Muli mining area is taken as an engineering case, and the differences between the traditional method and the modified method in calculating slope stability are compared and analyzed
Summary
Slope stability analysis has always been one of the basic problems in the field of geotechnical engineering. The Hoek-Brown criterion as a typical example has attracted wide attention from both academia and engineering geological fields, and it has been widely applied as well It has become one of the most recommended methods by the International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (ISRM) [17,18,19,20,21]. When the Hoek-Brown criterion is used to determine rock mass parameters, the effect of freeze-thaw cycles on GSI must be considered. The experimental method is a major one applied to study the physical and mechanical properties of rock mass in cold regions According to this method, the effects of freeze-thaw cycles on the physical and mechanical parameters of the rock mass under different conditions have been discussed. The proposed theoretical analysis is applied in an engineering case, well demonstrating the influence of freeze-thaw cycles on the slope stability. The outcome of this research is useful for the slope design of similar projects
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