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An integrated maximum safe slope angle analysis approach based on probabilistic kinematic and block theory for discontinuity-controlled rock slope instabilities: a transportation corridor case

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Abstract

Discontinuity-controlled rock slope instability analysis is an important issue in slope engineering. In this study, an integrated approach based on probabilistic kinematic and block theory is proposed to calculate maximum safe slope angle (MSSA). It incorporates the varieties of discontinuity orientation, friction angle and block geometric shapes. It can provide a scientific MSSA value for rock slope engineering. The proposed integrated approach is applied to an important engineering slope. First, the probabilistic kinematic and block theory analyses are separately used to obtain MSSA. Then the mean value of the two calculations is taken as suggested MSSA of the slope, and suggested MSSA is 60.22°. The approach proposed in the paper integrates kinematic and block theory, and fully considers the variability of orientation and shear strength of discontinuity, and the approach is more objective. In addition, the persistence of discontinuities and the identification of in-situ blocks will be a valuable work in the future.

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Data availability

Most of the data generated during this study are included in this article, and other datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant nos. 41941017, U1702241).

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.41941017, U1702241).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Construction Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130026, China

    Jingyu Xue, Chen Cao, Yaopeng Ji & Jianping Chen

  2. China Water Northeastern Investigation, Design and Research Co., Ltd, Changchun, 130026, Jilin, China

    Chun Tan

  3. North China Power Engineering Co., Ltd. of China Power Engineering Consulting Group, Changchun, 130000, Jilin, China

    Chun Tan

  4. School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China

    Jianhua Yan

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  1. Jingyu Xue
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  2. Chen Cao
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  4. Jianhua Yan
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  5. Yaopeng Ji
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  6. Jianping Chen
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by JX, CC, CT, JY, YJ and JC. The first draft of the manuscript was written by JX and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jianping Chen.

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Xue, J., Cao, C., Tan, C. et al. An integrated maximum safe slope angle analysis approach based on probabilistic kinematic and block theory for discontinuity-controlled rock slope instabilities: a transportation corridor case. Environ Earth Sci 82, 604 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-11278-3

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