The effects of strength parameters on slope failure mechanisms in weak rocks

This research project investigates the planar failure mechanisms of rock slopes by using PFC2D numerical code based on the distinct element methods. The aim of this work is to evaluate further the role of persistence of discontinuities (joints) that controls the planar failure mechanisms of slopes. Three types of rock materials were modeled by using bonded particle model procedures in PFC. The results show that the location of the rock bridges predominantly affect the failure mechanisms of rock slopes as well as the discontinuity length. All rock materials (e.g limestone, claystone and gypsum) with UCS values under 25 MPa, begin to fail initially by the tensile stresses around the rock bridge zones then those will eventually develop tension cracks.