17 Oct 2020
17 Oct 2020
Cascade effect of rock bridge failure in planar rock slides: explicit numerical modelling with a distinct element code
- 1Departamento de Ingeniería Metalúrgica y de Materiales (DIMM), Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria, Campus San Joaquín, Santiago, Chile
- 2GeoRessources, UMR 7359, Université de Lorraine – CNRS, Ecole des Mines de Nancy, Campus ARTEM, BP14234 FR-54042 Nancy Cedex, France
- 1Departamento de Ingeniería Metalúrgica y de Materiales (DIMM), Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria, Campus San Joaquín, Santiago, Chile
- 2GeoRessources, UMR 7359, Université de Lorraine – CNRS, Ecole des Mines de Nancy, Campus ARTEM, BP14234 FR-54042 Nancy Cedex, France
Abstract. Plane failure along inclined joints is a classical mechanism involved in rock slopes movements. It is known that the number, size and position of rock bridges along the potential failure plane are of main importance when assessing slope stability. However, the rock bridges failure phenomenology itself has not been comprehensively understood up to now. In this study, the propagation cascade effect of rock bridges failure leading to catastrophic block sliding is studied and the influence of rock bridges position in regard to the rockfall failure mode (shear or tensile) is highlighted. Numerical modelling using the distinct element method (UDEC-ITASCA) is undertaken in order to assess the stability of a 10 m3 rock block lying on an inclined joint with a dip angle of 40° or 80°. The progressive failure of rock bridges is simulated assuming a Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion and considering stress transfers from a failed bridge to the surrounding ones. Two phases of the failure process are described: (1) a stable propagation of the rock bridge failures along the joint and (2) an unstable propagation (cascade effect) of rock bridges failures until the block slides down. Additionally, the most critical position of rock bridges has been identified. It corresponds to the top of the rock block for a dip angle of 40° and to its bottom for an angle of 80°.
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Adeline Delonca et al.


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RC1: 'Reviewer comments', Anonymous Referee #1, 11 Nov 2020
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RC2: 'comments', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Nov 2020
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AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Adeline Delonca, 30 Dec 2020
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AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Adeline Delonca, 30 Dec 2020
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AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Adeline Delonca, 30 Dec 2020
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RC2: 'comments', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Nov 2020
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RC3: 'Review of the manuscript: “Cascade effect of rock bridge failure in planar rock slides: explicit numerical modelling with a distinct element code” by Adeline Delonca et al.', Anonymous Referee #3, 23 Nov 2020
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AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Adeline Delonca, 30 Dec 2020
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AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Adeline Delonca, 30 Dec 2020


-
RC1: 'Reviewer comments', Anonymous Referee #1, 11 Nov 2020
-
RC2: 'comments', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Nov 2020
-
AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Adeline Delonca, 30 Dec 2020
-
AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Adeline Delonca, 30 Dec 2020
-
AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Adeline Delonca, 30 Dec 2020
-
RC2: 'comments', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Nov 2020
-
RC3: 'Review of the manuscript: “Cascade effect of rock bridge failure in planar rock slides: explicit numerical modelling with a distinct element code” by Adeline Delonca et al.', Anonymous Referee #3, 23 Nov 2020
-
AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Adeline Delonca, 30 Dec 2020
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AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Adeline Delonca, 30 Dec 2020
Adeline Delonca et al.
Adeline Delonca et al.
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