A new analytical method for stability analysis of rock blocks with basal erosion in sub-horizontal strata by considering the eccentricity effect

Abstract

The basal cavity of a rock block formed due to differential weathering is an important predisposing factor for rockfall in hard–soft interbedded rocks, which induces an eccentricity situation at the base of the rock block. Rock block falling due to the non-uniform distribution with the failure modes of toppling or sliding is defined as biased rockfall in this study. Taking into account the non-uniform stress distribution due to the eccentricity effect, a new analytical method is proposed for three-dimensional stability analysis of biased rockfall. The development of non-uniform stress distribution stress calculated by this analytical method was verified by numerical simulation. The biased rockfall progresses from partial damage of the soft underlying layer, caused by non-uniform distributed stress, to toppling and sliding of overhanging hard rock block due to overall unbalanced force. Therefore, a set of factors of safety (Fos's) against partial damage (compressive and tensile damage of the soft underlying layer) and overall failure (toppling and sliding of the hard rock block) are used to determine the rockfall susceptibility level. The analytical method is applied and validated using biased rockfalls on the northeastern edge of the Sichuan Basin in southwest China, where a significant number of rockfalls consisting of overhanging thick sandstone and underlying mudstone occur. The evolution process of biased rockfalls is divided into four stages, initial state, basal cavity formation, partially unstable and failure. The proposed method is validated by calculating Fos's of the typical unstable rock blocks in the study area. As the cavity continues to grow, the continuous retreat of mudstone causes stress redistribution between the hard and soft rock layers. This results in damage to the underlying soft rock layer due to the development of the non-uniform distribution, ultimately leading to the failure of the hard rock block. The critical retreat ratio is determined to be 0.33, which is used to classify the low and moderate rockfall susceptibility in the eastern Sichuan Basin. The proposed analytical method provides insights into the evolution of biased rockfall and a means for early identification and susceptibility assessment of rockfall.