Abstract
Failures along cut road slopes are the main inconvenience for commuters and expressway planners as they put the human lives at considerable menace, worsen with monetary losses. Analysis of these vulnerable areas necessitates the evaluation of the suitable material mechanical properties taking into account a rigorous geological setting. The present work exposes the stability analysis of a 60-m-high schistose slope which was investigated to avoid a massive rock failure. Based on pathological field investigations, geological surveys, and a variety of laboratory tests, a finite element 3D simulation using the jointed rock model was chosen to analyze the rock hazard consistency, while several inclinometers were monitored for 6 months to better understand the kinematics of the noticed movement. Firstly, the results indicated a degradation of the mechanical qualities of the upper schistose layer, mainly due to the drainage and the drying-wetting cycle issues. Secondly, it is found that the safety factor taking into account the initial design remains insufficient and that the expressway platform can undergo significant displacements which were confirmed by the inclinometric observations. Finally, it was noted that the Jointed Rock Model offer a realistic representation of the Rifian schist by considering its anisotropic character. This paper recommended scaling, proceeding to the improvement of drainage conditions, and assuring the protection of the cut face. These recommendations would improve the safety factor and limit the displacement of the road platform.
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Notation
E1 Young’s modulus for intact rock (Mpa)
ν1 Poisson’s ratio for rock as a continuum
E2 Young’s modulus perpendicular to “Plane 1 (Mpa)
G2 Shear modulus perpendicular to “Plane 1” direction (Mpa)
ci Cohésion (Kpa)
φi Friction angle (degree)
ψi Dilatancy angle (degree)
n Number of joint directions
β Dip angle (degree)
α Strike angle (degree)
ρ Density (Kg/m3)
Pl Limit pressure (Mpa)
Em Pressiometric modulus (Mpa)
DG Degradability index (%)
FR Fragmentability index (%)
Fos Safety factor
ISRM International Society of Rock Mechanics
Funding
This work is supported by the budget of the Intelligent Systems, Georesources & Renewable Energies Laboratory (SIGER) of the Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, University, Fez-Morocco.
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Cherifi, H., Chaouni, AA., Ettayeb, M. et al. Management of rock hazard: case of the schistose excavation D8, Taza-Al Hoceima expressway, Morocco. Arab J Geosci 15, 1030 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10316-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10316-x