Rock Slope Stability Analysis in the Left Abutment of Bakhtiary Dam, Iran

Abstract

In this research, directions of in-situ stresses in the rock slope in the left abutment of Bakhtiary dam (Center of Iran) are defined taking advantage of geological history, tectonic evolution of the area, and in-situ tests. To that end, the study draws on the kinematic analysis, limit equilibrium and numerical methods. It is of note that there is no possibility for toppling failure if kinematic analysis is used to study the stability in left abutment of Bakhtiary dam. The plane failure analysis indicated that there is a possibility of failure in the middle and upper walls based on joint set J1. Also, from geological perspective, wedge failure in the middle and upper walls is possible due to the intersection of bedding planes and Joint set J1. In the analysis of the slope stability using limit equilibrium, the least value of the safety factor obtained for plane failure belongs to joint set J1 in the upper wall, indicating that the left abutment is stable. Numerical analysis indicated that this slope needs support requirements.

Keywords

• rock slope stability analysis
• bakhtiary dam
• jointed rock mass
• distinct element method