| dc.description.abstract | In the case of rock slopes formed by jointed rock masses in fractured media, the complex network of joints often serves as a crucial pathway for subsurface water flow. As a result, understanding the characteristics of the joints and their impact on the groundwater seepage system in rock slopes requires further investigation. Previous studies have indicated that the orientations of joints induced inherent
anisotropic permeability in the rock mass. Additionally, stress affects the variation in aperture of joints with different orientations, resulting in stress-induced permeability anisotropy. Hence, this study utilizes the FLAC3D software to construct a rock slope model, via continuum approach to calculate the equivalent permeability tensor of the jointed rock mass, accounting for both inherent anisotropy and stress-induced anisotropy. The computed results are then incorporated into the model, enabling the determination of the distribution of steady-state pore water pressure in the rock slope through seepage analysis. Ultimately, slope stability analysis was conducted to examine the impact of permeability anisotropy induced by joint characteristics on the stability of rock slopes.
The results show that under isotropic stress conditions,when the number of bedding parallel joints was significantly more than the bedding perpendicular joints, inherent anisotropy of joints affected the direction of groundwater flow, resulting in a relative difference of -28% in pore water pressure distribution within the slope compared to the scenario of joint isotropy. This, in turn, affected the safety factor in subsequent slope stability analyses. Additionally, under the conditions of joint
isotropy, when the maximum principal stress was parallel to the slope surface and notably greater than the minimum principal stress perpendicular to the slope surface,
it influenced the joints parallel to the slope surface. Compared to the scenario of isotropic stress distribution, this led to a relative difference of -6% in pore water
pressure distribution. These findings demonstrate that stress-induced affects the distribution of pore water pressure in slopes.Overall, this study explores the impact of joint characteristics on the permeability coefficient tensor of jointed rock masses, subsequently influencing the
seepage system in rock slopes and the stability of rock slopes. Therefore, future analyses of rock slope stability should consider the influence of joint characteristics
on the groundwater seepage system. | en_US |