Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fuzzy approach for preliminary design of weak rock slopes in lignite mines

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Rock slope failure modes are either driven by structurally controlled mechanisms (planar, wedge, or toppling failure) or lean upon the highly jointed or weak rock mass (circular failure). Developing practical tools for preliminary slope design is a popular topic among geotechnical society. This study proposes a practical methodology to predict a safe overall slope angle for weak rock slopes of lignite mines. Rock mass rating (RMR) and slope mass rating (SMR) classification systems can be remarkably misleading for weak rocks. Fuzzy modification was proven to improve rock and slope quality predictions. In addition, structurally controlled failures can be estimated more precisely. Later, a popular slope performance chart of Bieniawski that is based on RMR was modified by the fuzzy approach, and the computer models of a weak rock mass failure in a Turkish lignite mine are presented. The modified methodology was proven to be better suited to the weak rock conditions.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alavala CR (2008) Fuzzy logic and neural networks: basic concepts and applications. New Age, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Apaydin N, Ulusay R (1990) GeotechnicaI investigation report on TKI-GELI Milas Sekkoy Open Pit. MTA Library, Ankara

    Google Scholar 

  • Basarir H, Saiang D (2013) Assessment of slope stability using fuzzy sets and system, Int J Min Reclam Environ 27(5):312–328. doi:10.1080/17480930.2012.702000

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1976) Rock mass classification of jointed rock masses. Balkema, Johannesburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Coates DF, McRorie KL, Stubbins JB (1963) Analysis of pit slides in some incompetent rocks. Trans Soc Min Eng 94–101

  • Daftaribesheli A, Ataei M, Sereshki F (2011) Assessment of rock slope stability using the fuzzy slope mass rating (FSMR) system. Appl Soft Comput 11(8):4465–4473. doi:10.1016/j.asoc.2011.08.032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Douglas KJ (2002) The Shear Strength of Rock Masses. Doctoral Dissertation, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The University of New South Wales, Sydney

  • Fleming RW, Spencer GS, Banks DC (1970) Empirical Study of Behaviour of Clay Shale Slopes. Technical Report No:15, U.S. Army Engineer Nuclear Cratering Group, Livermore, California

  • Habibagahi G, Katebi S (1996) Rock mass classification using fuzzy sets. Iran J Sci Technol 20(3):273–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Haines A, Terbrugge PJ (1991) Preliminary estimation of rock slope stability using rock mass classification systems. In: International society of rock mechanics (ed) Proceedings of the 7th rock mechanics congress, Aachen, Balkema, pp 887–892  

  • Hoek E (1970) Estimating the stability of excavated slopes in open cut mines. Trans Inst Min Metall 79(767):A109–A132

  • Hoek E, Bray J (1981) Rock slope engineering. CRC Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Carranza-Torres C, Corkum B (2002) Hoek-brown failure criterion—2002 edition. In: Proceeding of the 5th north american rock mechanics symposium and the 17th tunnelling association of canada conference, vol 1. Toronto, pp 267–273  

  • Jalalifar H, Mojeddifar S, Sahebi AA (2011) Prediction of rock mass rating using fuzzy logic with special attention to discontinuities and ground water conditions. In: 11th underground coal operators’ conference. University of Wollongong & the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Illawarra, pp 115–120

  • Juang CH, Lee DH (1990) Rock mass classification using fuzzy sets. In: Proceeding of the tenth southeast asian geotechnical conference, Chinese Institute of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Taipei (ROC), pp 309–314

  • Karpuz C, Tutluoglu L, Kocal A, Onal K (2005) TKİ Çan İşletmesi Açık Ocakları Çan B Panolarında Şev Tasarımı. Middle East Technical University, Department of Mining Engineering, Ankara

  • Karpuz C, Kocyigit A, Tutluoglu L, Duzgun HS, Kocal A, Erdem E, Alkilicgil C (2006) Türkiye Kömür İşletmeleri Kurumu TKİ, Orhaneli İşletmesi Açık Ocakları Panolarında Şev Tasarımı ve Dragline Çalışma Sisteminin Belirlenmesi. Middle East Technical University, Department of Mining Engineering, Ankara

  • Kocyigit A (2005) Denizli graben-horst system and eastern limit of the west anatolian continental extension: basin fill, structure, deformational mode, throw amount and episodic evolutionary history, SW turkey. Geodin Acta 18(3–4):167–208. doi:10.3166/ga.18.167-208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lane KS (1961) Field slope charts for stability studies. In: Proceedings of the fifth international conference on soil mechanics and foundation engineering, vol 2. Dunod, Paris, pp 651–655

  • Lutton RJ (1970) Rock slope chart from empirical data. Trans Soc Min Eng 247(2):160–162

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon BK, Thomas ES, Stark RO (1976) Estimation of upper bounds to rock slopes by analysis of existing slope data. Wall stability in the South Roberts Pit: an example of the use of previous slopes. Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen VU, Ashworth E (1985) Rock mass classification by fuzzy sets. In: Ashworth E (ed) Research and engineering applications in rock masses. Proceedings of the 26th US symposium on rock mechanics, Rapid city, South Dakota, Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 937–945

  • Nguyen HT, Walker EA (2000) A first course in fuzzy logic. Chapman and Hall/CRC, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Pasamehmetoglu G, Karpuz C, Muftuoglu Y, Ozgenoglu A, Ceylanoglu A, Dincer T (1988) TKİ Dekapaj İhale Panoları İçin Makina Parkı Seçimi, Maliyet Analizi Ve Birim Maliyetin (TL/m3) Saptanması: Jeoteknik ve Performans Verilerinin Değerlendirilmesi, Kazılabilirlik Sınıflama Sisteminin Önerilmesi. Middle East Technical University, Ankara

  • Robertson AM (1988) Estimating weak rock strength. In: AIME-SME annual meeting, Society of Mining Engineers, Phoenix, AZ, pp 88–145

  • Rocscience Inc (2003) Slide version 5.0-2D limit equilibrium slope stability analysis. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. http://www.rocscience.com

  • Romana M (1985) New adjustment ratings for application of bieniawski classification to slopes. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on the role of rock mechanics in excavations for mining and civil works, International Society of Rock Mechanics, Zacatecas, pp 49–53

  • Romana MR (1993) A Geomechanical classification for slopes: slope mass rating. In: Hudson JA (ed) Comprehensive rock engineering principle, practice & projects, Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp 4–44

  • Sen Z, Sadagah BH (2013) Modified rock mass classification system by continuous rating. Eng Geol 67(3–4):269–280. doi:10.1016/S0013-7952(02)00185-0

    Google Scholar 

  • Shuka T (1965) Discussion of paper by Lange Jan. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on soil mechanics & foundation engineering, ISSMFE, Canada, pp 576–577

  • Singh B, Goel R (1999) Slope mass rating (SMR). In: Rock mass classification: a practical approach in civil engineering. Elsevier science, Oxford, pp 171–183  

  • The MathWorks Inc (2011) MATLAB and Fuzzy logic toolbox release 2011a, Natick, Massachusetts, United States

  • Tomás R, Delgado J, Serón JB (2007) Modification of slope mass rating (SMR) by continuous functions. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 44:1062–1069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulusay R, Yoleri MF (1993) Shear strength characteristics of discontinuities in weak, stratified, clay-bearing coal measures encountered in turkish surface coal mining. Bull Int Assoc Eng Geol 48(1):109–117. doi:10.1007/BF02594983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zadeh L (1965) Fuzzy sets and systems. In: Fox J (ed) Proceedings of symposium system theory, Microwave research institute symposia series XV,  Polytechnic Press, New York, pp 29–37

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Universiteler Mahallesi, Dumlupinar Bulvari No: 1 06800, Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey

    Ahmet Gunes Yardimci & Celal Karpuz

Authors
  1. Ahmet Gunes Yardimci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Celal Karpuz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmet Gunes Yardimci.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yardimci, A.G., Karpuz, C. Fuzzy approach for preliminary design of weak rock slopes in lignite mines. Bull Eng Geol Environ 77, 253–264 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1022-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1022-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation