Abstract
The effect of water on the shear behavior of joints in rocks is critical for determining the global stability of fractured rock slopes subjected to changes in water levels, because the joint peak shear strength can be significantly lowered owing to wetting. The roles of the mechanical and the combined physical and chemical water–rock interactions in the deformation of reservoir bank slopes are studied using discrete element method. The numerical results showed that the joints that are subparallel to the slope surface mainly determine the displacements of rock blocks and that water–rock interaction-induced deterioration of joint shear stiffness and strength plays a critical role in the stability of reservoir bank slopes. The weakening of rock fractures induced by interactions between water and fracture walls can explain the monitored valley contraction during the impoundment of high dams.
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