Numerical modeling of the NPR-cable and its applications for analysis of a slide-toe-toppling failure

Abstract

Typical applications of rockbolts in slope engineering are mainly used to prevent movements of blocks or wedges of rock on discontinuities dipping out of the face as the rockbolts can modify the normal and shear forces acting on the sliding planes. In this paper, the numerical model of the NPR-cable was developed and integrated with 2-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis (2D-DDA). The load transfer at the NPR-cable was simulated by mechanically locking nodes. Verifications of the NPR-cable model were carried out based on the application of limit equilibrium analysis to calculate the required cable forces for possible sliding or toppling of blocks. It showed a good agreement had been made between the numerical and the analytical results. Furthermore, the NPR-cable model was further applied in the simulation of physical modeling of slope under slide-toe-toppling failure. The role of existing discontinuities on the slide-toe-toppling failure was presented. The interactions between the model-scale NPR-cable and the blocks were also presented. It showed the advantages of NPR-bolt in preventing slide-toe-toppling failure.