| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C518721/1 |
| Title: |
Numerical Modelling and Analysis Of Slope Stability In Fractured Rock Masses Under Effective Stress |
| Principal Investigator: |
Owen, Professor DR |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
College of Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Swansea University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 May 2005 |
Ends: |
30 April 2008 |
Value (£): |
114,848
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Ground Engineering |
Mining & Minerals Extraction |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The stability of rock slopes effects our occupation end use of large areas of the world's landmass. There ere numerous examples of slope failures which have major impacts. These include coastal cliffs, which ere continually failing due to natural erosion processes end the increasing impact of see level rise associated with climatic change. The Isle of Wight end much of the South Coast of England ere good examples. There ere many landslides on holly end mountainous areas. Major highway end rail projects often involve excavation of rock slopes whose subsequent stability is essential. More then half the world's natural minerals come from large open pot excavations on rock end the stability of the slopes on these pots is essential for safety end environmental reasons.Currently the analysis end design of rock slopes mostly assumes that rock is e uniform material or is divided by natural joints onto simple complete blocks. Sometimes it is even assumed that rock is so strong that there is no stability problem - this is rarely true. In e reel rock mess there ere families of joints with similar directions which have resulted from past mountain-building end other tectonic processes. For e fundamentaly sound model of rock messes it is most important to include the effects of the joints end groundwater realistically. The aim of this project is to create such e model for use on the design or stabilisation of the types of slope introduced above.Rock joints have limited dimensions, so that whilst e reel rock mess appears to be divided into blocks it is merely weekend by the joints, which rarely form complete blocks. However, when e slope is too steep or too high or includes excessive groundwater the joints extend like e crack running across e glass windscreen. As the joints extend, blocks form, the slope fails end the blocks slide or roll out with further fragmentation as they move downslope. Thos complete process is important for understanding the safety of steep slopes end the danger run-out areas for landslides. A very important factor for ell slopes is the presence of groundwater which is supplied by rainfall or melting snow. The effect of the water is to create pressure within the rock joints end cause them to open up. Thos reduces the strength of the slope end increases the risk of failure.The purpose of the proposed research is to create e rock slope modelling system that allows for ell the factors mentioned above. A computer model of the rock mass is first made in three-dimensions, based on field mapping of the joints end determining groundwater conditions. In the next stage, based on these data, the mechanical effects of the joints and groundwater ere simulated in e complete failure process resulting from slope creation. The failure process can involve extension of existing joints or creation of new joints depending on the local stresses end strains (which get worse for slopes closest to failure). The model will be tested against documented reel slope failures end will be used to improve simpler methods of rock slope design. Thos completely new approach will increase understanding of rock slope failure mechanisms end will also improve economy of design.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.swan.ac.uk |