Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A new method for assessing excavation damaged zone based on point safety factor

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Excavation of a rock slope will form an excavation disturbance/damage zone (EDZ) near the excavation boundary. This paper proposes an EDZ analysis method based on point safety factor. The ratio of the shear stress to shear strength of each point in the slope is defined as the point safety factor, and the expression of the point safety factor under the Mohr–Coulomb and Hoek–Brown criteria is derived. The point safety factor before and after the excavation of a highway rock slope is calculated, and the influence of the Hoek–Brown parameters on the point safety factor is studied. The change rate of the point safety factor before and after slope excavation is used as a quantitative index to study the scope of EDZ, and the influence of excavation angle on EDZ is discussed. The results show that the point safety factor first increases and then decreases from the slope surface to the slope interior. After the slope is excavated, the point safety factor at the toe of the excavation face is significantly reduced, and its change is related to the stress adjustment of the rock mass in the slope. The point safety factor increases with the increase of the geological strength index GSI and uniaxial compressive strength σci of the rock mass, and decreases with the increase of the material constant mi and the disturbance factor D. As the excavation angle increases, the range of EDZ becomes smaller. The maximum point safety factor change rate occurs on the excavation boundary with a height of 1.8 ~ 2.0 m, which first increases and then decreases with the increase of the excavation angle.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • An HM, Liu HY, Han HY (2020) Hybrid finite-discrete element modelling of excavation damaged zone formation process induced by blasts in a deep tunnel. Adv Civ Eng 2020:1–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Balmer G (1952) A general analytical solution for Mohr’s envelope. Am Soc Test Mater 52:1269–1271

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonilla-Sierra V, Scholtes L, Donze FV et al (2015) Rock slope stability analysis using photogrammetric data and DFN-DEM modelling. Acta Geotech 10(4):497–511

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bao H, Wu FQ, Xi PC et al (2020a) A new method for assessing slope unloading zones based on unloading strain. Environ Earth Sci 79(14):1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bao H, Zhang KK, Yan CG et al (2020) Excavation damaged zone division and time-dependency deformation prediction: a case study of excavated rock mass at Xiaowan Hydropower Station. Eng Geol 272:105668

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carranza-Torres C, Diederichs M (2009) Mechanical analysis of circular liners with particular reference to composite supports. For example, liners consisting of shotcrete and steel sets. Tunn Undergr Space 24:506–532

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cen DF, Huang D, Ren F (2017) Shear deformation and strength of the interphase between the soil-rock mixture and the benched bedrock slope surface. Acta Geotech 12(2):391–413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cho WJ, Kim JS, Lee C et al (2013) Gas permeability in the excavation damaged zone at KURT. Eng Geol 164:222–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eberhardt E (2012) The Hoek-Brown Failure Criterion. Rock Mech Rock Eng 45(6):981–988

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibert D, Nicollin F, Kergosien B et al (2006) Electrical tomography monitoring of the excavation damaged zone of the Gallery 04 in the Mont Terri rock laboratory: Field experiments, modelling, and relationship with structural geology. Appl Clay Sci 33(1):21–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Brown ET (2019) The Hoek-Brown failure criterion and GSI–2018 edition. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 11(3):445–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Caranza-Torres CT, Corcum B (2002) Hoek–Brown failure criterion-2002 edition. In: Bawden HRW, CurranJ, Telsenicki M (eds) Proceedings of the North American Rock Mechanics Society (NARMS-TAC 2002). Mining Innovation and Technology, Toronto, pp 267–273

  • Hudson JA, Stephansson O, Andersson J et al (2001) Coupled T-H-M issues relating to radioactive waste repository design and performance. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 38(1):143–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang YJ, Li B, Yamashita Y (2009) Simulation of cracking near a large underground cavern in a discontinuous rock mass using the expanded distinct element method. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 46(1):97–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim JS, Kwon S, Cheon DS et al (2014) Assessment of rock slope stability and factor analysis with a consideration of a damaged zone. Tunn Undergr Space 24(3):187–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li HB, Liu MC, Xing WB et al (2017) Failure mechanisms and evolution assessment of the excavation damaged zones in a large-scale and deeply buried underground powerhouse. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50(7):1883–1900

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai XP, Ren FH, Wu YP et al (2009) Comprehensive assessment on dynamic roof instability under fractured rock mass conditions in the excavation disturbed zone. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 16(1):0–18

  • Lu WB, Hu YG, Yang JH et al (2013) Spatial distribution of excavation induced damage zone of high rock slope. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 64(6):181–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maineult A, Thomas B, Nussbaum C et al (2013) Anomalies of noble gases and self-potential associated with fractures and fluid dynamics in a horizontal borehole, Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory. Eng Geol 156:46–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martino JB, Chandler NA (2004) Excavation-induced damage studies at the underground research laboratory. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 41(8):1413–1426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priest SD (2005) Determination of shear strength and three-dimensional yield strength for the Hoek-Brown criterion. Rock Mech Rock Eng 38(4):299–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutqvist J, Bögesson L, Chijimatsu M et al (2008a) Modeling of damage, permeability changes and pressure responses during excavation of the TSX tunnel in granitic rock at URL. Canada Environ Geol 57(6):1263–1274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutqvist J, Bäckström A, Chijimatsu M et al (2008b) A multiple-code simulation study of the long-term EDZ evolution of geological nuclear waste repositories. Environ Geol 57(6):1313–1324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheng Q, Yue ZQ, Lee CF et al (2002) Estimating the excavation disturbed zone in the permanent shiplock slopes of the three gorges project, china. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 39(2):165–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siren T, Kantia P, Rinne M (2015) Considerations and observations of stress-induced and construction-induced excavation damage zone in crystalline rock. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 73:165–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang B, Cheng H, Tang YZ et al (2018) Excavation damaged zone depths prediction for TBM-excavated roadways in deep collieries. Environ Earth Sci 77(5):165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang XQ (2011) Radon anomaly analysis of engineering slopes. Adv Mater Res 261–263:1161–1166

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu FQ, Liu JY, Liu T et al (2009) A method for assessment of excavation damaged zone (EDZ) of a rock mass and its application to a dam foundation case. Eng Geol 104(3):254–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie LX, Lu WB, Zhang QB et al (2017) Analysis of damage mechanisms and optimization of cut blasting design under high in situ stresses. Tunn Undergr Space 66:19–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu DP, Gu GK, Wan LP et al (2018) An index for estimating the stability of the layered rock masses under excavation disturbance. Avd Mater Sci Eng 2018:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang JH, Dai JH, Yao C et al (2020) Estimation of rock mass properties in excavation damage zones of rock slopes based on the Hoek-Brown criterion and acoustic testing. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 126:104192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zareifard MR, Fahimifar A (2016) Analytical solutions for the stresses and deformations of deep tunnels in an elastic–brittle–plastic rock mass considering the damaged zone. Tunn Undergr Space 58:186–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao WH, Frost JD, Huang RQ et al (2017) Distribution and quantitative zonation of unloading cracks at a proposed large hydropower station dam Site. J Mt Sci 14(10):2106–2121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng HH, Li TB, Shen JY et al (2018) The effects of blast damage zone thickness on rock slope stability. Eng Geol 246:19–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51809151, U1965109), Open Research Foundation of Guangxi Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Key Laboratory (20-Y-KF-01), Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation Innovation Group Project (2020CFA049), Sponsored by Research Fund for Excellent Dissertation of China Three Gorges University (2021BSPY015).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, China Three Gorges University, Yichang City, 443002, Hubei Province, China

    Tianzhu Huang, Jianlin Li, Lehua Wang, Xiaoping Wang & Xiaoliang Xu

  2. Key Laboratory of Geological Hazards Onn Three Gorges Reservoir Area of Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang City, 443002, Hubei Province, China

    Tianzhu Huang, Jianlin Li, Lehua Wang, Xiaoping Wang & Xiaoliang Xu

  3. Key Laboratory of Rock and Soil Mechanics and Engineering of Guangxi, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin city, 541004, Guangxi Province, China

    Zhikui Liu

Authors
  1. Tianzhu Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jianlin Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lehua Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zhikui Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xiaoping Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xiaoliang Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaoliang Xu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Zeynal Abiddin Erguler

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Huang, T., Li, J., Wang, L. et al. A new method for assessing excavation damaged zone based on point safety factor. Arab J Geosci 15, 823 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10093-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10093-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation