Abstract
Under the influence of continuous external factors (rainfall, earthquakes, construction, etc.), slope rock masses in a stable state can gradually transition to unstable rock, which can then collapse. A safety factor can identify the occurrence of failure but cannot identify the transition of stable rock to unstable rock; thus, it cannot realise the quantitative identification of the latter. In this study, a cohesive safety factor (CSF) and a relatively objective analysis method are proposed to effectively identify unstable rock. The CSF can be calculated by the natural vibration frequency and applied as a mechanical index to characterise unstable rock; when CSF is less than 1, the rock is defined as unstable. Compared with the traditional method, the new method has the merits of simple operation, low cost and high efficiency and provides a relatively complete quantitative evaluation index and evaluation criteria for quantitative identification of unstable rock for engineers engaged in early warning and prevention of rock collapse.
Highlights
Rock collapse is one of the most common geomorphic processes in hilly regions; it threatens the environment and generating loss of human life and property (Sun et al, 2017; Bunce et al 1997)
As the calculation of the safety factor can only identify the change from dangerous rock mass to collapse and it is not sensitive to the quantitative analysis evaluation and damage identification of stable rock to unstable rock, many limitations exist in engineering application(Du et al 2015)
Rapid recognition of unstable rocks has been a controversial issue in the study of geological hazards for many years
Summary
Rock collapse is one of the most common geomorphic processes in hilly regions; it threatens the environment and generating loss of human life and property (Sun et al, 2017; Bunce et al 1997). The single safety factor can be used to effectively identify and analyse the stability of a rock during the failure stage, but identifying the state at which the rock becomes an unstable rock is difficult. These rocks often cause serious casualties and economic losses due to the lack of timely detection and management (Reder et al 2017; Zhao et al 2014). Determining how to apply relatively dynamic and practical safety factors in practical engineering and identifying the point at which a rock is in a weakened stability state is an urgent problem in geotechnical fields Determining how to apply relatively dynamic and practical safety factors in practical engineering and identifying the point at which a rock is in a weakened stability state is an urgent problem in geotechnical fields (Nasir and Fall, 2008; Nilsen. 2017)
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