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Micro instability mechanism of gravel slope based on discrete–continuous method

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Abstract

The problem of slope stability is an important research topic in geotechnical engineering. Taking a gravel slope as the background, the large deformation and failure region of slope was regarded as a discrete zone, modeled by PFC3D, and small deformation region was regarded as a continuous zone, modeled by FLAC3D. The Mohr–Coulomb criterion and tensile stress yield criterion were adopted in the continuous zone and the linear contact stiffness model was used to depict the contact relationship of particles in the discrete zone. The discrete–continuous coupled model of slope was established by transferring velocity and force between the discrete zone and the continuous zone and the micro instability mechanism of the gravel slope was studied by gravity increase method. The progressive damage process of slope instability and the evolution of porosity and coordination number were studied by arranging measurement spheres and observing the movement pattern of particles. Based on the particle displacement, kinetic energy of slope and convergence of numerical simulation, the stability criterion of slope after instability was discussed. It is found that the safety factor of the gravel slope was 1.1. The insight into the evolution process of slope instability can provide reference for slope treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China

    Yuqi Li, Shun Zhao & Zhaoyu Yang

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  1. Yuqi Li
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  2. Shun Zhao
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  3. Zhaoyu Yang
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Correspondence to Yuqi Li.

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Li, Y., Zhao, S. & Yang, Z. Micro instability mechanism of gravel slope based on discrete–continuous method. Comp. Part. Mech. 10, 837–851 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-022-00535-0

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