Numerical Modeling of 3D Slopes with Weak Zones by Random Field and Finite Elements

This work investigates an analysis method for the stability of a three-dimensional (3D) slope with weak zones considering spatial variability on the basis of two-phase random media and the finite element method. By controlling the volume fractions of rock and weak zones, two-phase random media are i...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yu-Xiang Xia, Po Cheng, Man-Man Liu, Jun Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-10-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/21/9852
_version_ 1797512886245916672
author Yu-Xiang Xia
Po Cheng
Man-Man Liu
Jun Hu
author_facet Yu-Xiang Xia
Po Cheng
Man-Man Liu
Jun Hu
author_sort Yu-Xiang Xia
collection DOAJ
description This work investigates an analysis method for the stability of a three-dimensional (3D) slope with weak zones considering spatial variability on the basis of two-phase random media and the finite element method. By controlling the volume fractions of rock and weak zones, two-phase random media are incorporated into the 3D slope model to simulate the random distribution of rock and weak zones. Then, a rotation of a Gaussian random field is performed to account for the inclination of the weak zones. The validity of the proposed model for use in the analysis of the stability of 3D slopes with weak zones was verified by comparing it to existing results and analytical solutions. The failure mechanism of the slope is considered by examining the plastic failure zone at incipient slope failure. The safety factor is sensitive to the inclination of the weak zones, but it is predictable. Parametric studies on the inclination of the layer of weak zones demonstrate that when the rotation angle of the weak zones is approximately parallel to the slope inclination, the slope is prone to slippage along the weak zones, resulting in a significant reduction in the safety factor. The findings of this research can serve as the foundation for further research on the stability of slopes with weak zones.
first_indexed 2024-03-10T06:08:01Z
format Article
id doaj.art-db1baebb90fc4b64852bf616cd3bc68e
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2076-3417
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-10T06:08:01Z
publishDate 2021-10-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Applied Sciences
spelling doaj.art-db1baebb90fc4b64852bf616cd3bc68e2023-11-22T20:24:04ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-10-011121985210.3390/app11219852Numerical Modeling of 3D Slopes with Weak Zones by Random Field and Finite ElementsYu-Xiang Xia0Po Cheng1Man-Man Liu2Jun Hu3State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaThis work investigates an analysis method for the stability of a three-dimensional (3D) slope with weak zones considering spatial variability on the basis of two-phase random media and the finite element method. By controlling the volume fractions of rock and weak zones, two-phase random media are incorporated into the 3D slope model to simulate the random distribution of rock and weak zones. Then, a rotation of a Gaussian random field is performed to account for the inclination of the weak zones. The validity of the proposed model for use in the analysis of the stability of 3D slopes with weak zones was verified by comparing it to existing results and analytical solutions. The failure mechanism of the slope is considered by examining the plastic failure zone at incipient slope failure. The safety factor is sensitive to the inclination of the weak zones, but it is predictable. Parametric studies on the inclination of the layer of weak zones demonstrate that when the rotation angle of the weak zones is approximately parallel to the slope inclination, the slope is prone to slippage along the weak zones, resulting in a significant reduction in the safety factor. The findings of this research can serve as the foundation for further research on the stability of slopes with weak zones.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/21/9852slope stabilitytwo-phase random mediaslope with weak zonesfinite element analysisrandom field
spellingShingle Yu-Xiang Xia
Po Cheng
Man-Man Liu
Jun Hu
Numerical Modeling of 3D Slopes with Weak Zones by Random Field and Finite Elements
Applied Sciences
slope stability
two-phase random media
slope with weak zones
finite element analysis
random field
title Numerical Modeling of 3D Slopes with Weak Zones by Random Field and Finite Elements
title_full Numerical Modeling of 3D Slopes with Weak Zones by Random Field and Finite Elements
title_fullStr Numerical Modeling of 3D Slopes with Weak Zones by Random Field and Finite Elements
title_full_unstemmed Numerical Modeling of 3D Slopes with Weak Zones by Random Field and Finite Elements
title_short Numerical Modeling of 3D Slopes with Weak Zones by Random Field and Finite Elements
title_sort numerical modeling of 3d slopes with weak zones by random field and finite elements
topic slope stability
two-phase random media
slope with weak zones
finite element analysis
random field
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/21/9852
work_keys_str_mv AT yuxiangxia numericalmodelingof3dslopeswithweakzonesbyrandomfieldandfiniteelements
AT pocheng numericalmodelingof3dslopeswithweakzonesbyrandomfieldandfiniteelements
AT manmanliu numericalmodelingof3dslopeswithweakzonesbyrandomfieldandfiniteelements
AT junhu numericalmodelingof3dslopeswithweakzonesbyrandomfieldandfiniteelements