Characterization of bi-planar and ploughing failure mechanisms in footwall slopes using numerical modelling

The possible role of brittle rock fracture in the 1963 Vajont Slide, Italy

“…,Gao 22 , Hamdi et al20 and Havaej et al23 used crack intensity (length of fractures per unit area) to quantify damage within their numerical simulations. Zhang and Stead.…”

A Preliminary Investigation on the Role of Brittle Fracture in the Kinematics of the 2014 San Leo Landslide

“…This study clearly highlights the potential role of intact rock fracturing on the slope kinematics, and the interaction between intact rock strength, structural geology, and slope morphology.provide kinematic release to blocks that were previously nonremovable [9]. The accumulation of brittle damage is a critical component in the development of footwall failures and large-scale, biplanar, and compound rockslides, due to the formation of a highly damaged transition zone at the interface between active and passive blocks [10][11][12]. Additionally, intact rock fracturing may cause the failure of nondaylighting rock wedges, due to the formation of a basal rupture surface caused by failure of rock bridges and coalescence of brittle cracks [13].The strength of intact rock is orders of magnitude higher than discontinuities; therefore, strength and size of intact rock bridges between discontinuities have a great impact on the stability of rock slopes [9].…”

“…provide kinematic release to blocks that were previously nonremovable [9]. The accumulation of brittle damage is a critical component in the development of footwall failures and large-scale, biplanar, and compound rockslides, due to the formation of a highly damaged transition zone at the interface between active and passive blocks [10][11][12]. Additionally, intact rock fracturing may cause the failure of nondaylighting rock wedges, due to the formation of a basal rupture surface caused by failure of rock bridges and coalescence of brittle cracks [13].…”

An investigation into the development of toppling at the edge of fractured rock plateaux using a numerical modelling approach

“…The application of the Voronoi approach in rock engineering using Distinct Element Method codes has been recently described by several authors. Gao and Stead (2014) applied this approach to brittle fracture modelling at laboratory and field scale; Havaej et al (2014) successfully simulated biplanar failure mechanisms in footwall slopes, while Vivas Becerra (2014) carried out a fully coupled hydro-mechanical analysis on open pit rock slopes using the Voronoi method implemented in the 2D UDEC code (Itasca TM , 2014b). The DEM Voronoi procedure for intact rock fracture simulation provides further insights into the failure propagation within a rock mass.…”