• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.491-504
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• 1999

The initiation of toppling is explored for a uniform stack of blocks that rotates slowly about its mid-base. As the stack passes through its vertical position ($\theta$=0), it is in free-fall rotation, and a critical inclination angle ${\theta}_c$ is reached at which the toppling stack "fails" or begins to crack or separate. For tall stacks (high aspect ratios), two modes of failure are hypothesized, for which the dynamic failure analyses are shown to correlate with experimental results. These block failure modes are similar to those observed for tall, toppling masonry structures with weak binding material between their brick or stone blocks.

• Geotechnical Engineering
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.55-66
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• 1998

The purpose of this paper is to formulate and apply the stability analysis of toppling failure by considering the variation of discontinuity characteristics, slope geometry, and loading conditions. The stability condition on toppling failure of rock slope is mainly iuluenced by the dip angle $\alpha_B$ and H/t ratio. In order to check toppling failures in design, the stability charts composed of dip angle $\alpha_B$ versus H/t ratio have been constructed in the paper. In general, smaller dip angle $\alpha_B$ and smaller dip angle $\alpha_B$ and smaller H/T ratio give safer condition. The suggested curves change rapidly at the chitical point around the sone, H/t=4~6. The stable zone in stability charles becomes smaller due to step angle $\data$.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.481-495
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• 2021

This article assesses and estimates the progressive failure mechanism of complex pit-rest secondary toppling of slopes that are located within the vicinity of the Gas Flare Site of Refinery No. 4 in South Pars Special Zone (SPSZ), southwest Iran. The finite element numerical procedure based on the Shear Strength Reduction (SSR) technique has been employed for the stability analysis. In this regard, several step modelling stages that were conducted to evaluate the slope stability status revealed that the main instability was situated on the left-hand side (western) slope in the Flare Site. The toppling was related to the rock column-overburden system in relation to the overburden pressure on the rock columns which led to the progressive instability of the slope. This load transfer from the overburden has most probably led to the separation of the rock column and to its rotation downstream of the slope in the form of a complex pit-rest secondary toppling. According to the numerical modelling, it was determined that the Strength Reduction Factor (SRF) decreased substantially from 5.68 to less than 0.320 upon progressive failure. The estimated shear and normal stresses in the block columns ranged from 1.74 MPa to 8.46 MPa, and from 1.47 MPa to 16.8 MPa, respectively. In addition, the normal and shear displacements in the block columns ranged from 0.00609 m to 0.173 m and from 0.0109 m to 0.793 m, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.511-518
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• 2000

Characteristics of joint orientation, length, spacing and their distribution are very important factors for slope stability, Especially, the effect of joint spacing is an essential factor of slope stability. This study is to analyze the effect of joint spacing in cases of sliding and toppling, which is a typical failure mode. Joint spacing can divided into vertical spacing(spacing) and horizontal spacing(gap). And then, the spacing/length ratio of joint directly affect rock slope failure. When the ratio is below 0.05, the possibility of failure is rapidly increased. In case of toppling, the possibility of failure depends on the ratio of spacing to height of slope ratio slope. As the ratio decreases, the possibility of toppling failure increased. The critical ratio of spacing to height of slope is determined by the dip angle of the slope and the orientation of joint sets.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1997.03a
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• pp.89-96
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• 1997

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.96-107
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• 1993

This paper deals with the analysis of rock slope stability using the distinct element method. This method consists in analysis of the interaction of discrete block assemblage delimited by elementary joints, which permits to consider the heterogeneous, anisotropic and discontinuous features of the rock mass. In particular, we were able to show that this method, and especially the BRIG3D software, is an outstanding tool which gives informations of greatest interest in order to analyze the toppling mechanisms. We have confirmed the fundamental role of the rock mass structure with different simulations. In the case of toppling phenomena, the essential parameter is the dip of major discontinuities. It has an influence on the intensity and volume of deformations. The anisotropic and heterogeneous features of the rock mass play also an important role. It is proved by insertion of thick rock bars in the structure or varying rock block sizes in the mass. These models modified considerably the stress distribution and the deformation distribution. Finally, we have analyzed the influence of mechanical parameters such as friction angle and tangential stiffness.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2010

Toppling failure of a slope is defined as failure behavior accompanying the rotation of rock block which is different from other failure such as sliding along with discontinuities and so on. It generally occurs in the region that discontinuities were developed with inverse dip direction to a slope and it could play a critical role in judging stability of slope. In this study, the stability evaluation was performed about toppling failure on a jointed road cut-slope. To check the deformation behavior, numerical analysis is widely used. However common analysis programs are based on continuum model. Recently, many methods that discontinuity properties can be considered in continuum analysis are suggested. In this study, numerical analysis based on FEM(Finite Element Method) was performed using interface element applied in heterogeneous boundary to simulate effects of discontinuities.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.308-317
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• 1995

The stability study on the rock slope where have produced failures in Boryung dam site was evaluated using the streonet analysis techniques. SMR(Slope Mass Rating) approach which is suitable for preliminary assessment of slope stability in rock was also carried out for rating rock mass. The 3-4 major discontinuity sets are distributed and all type of failure(plane, wedge and toppling failure) are presented in this slope face. The dip of slope must be lowered to friction angle(26degree), otherwise the possibility of plane and toppling faiue will always exist in this slope.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.268-273
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• 2006

Slope failures can be occurred by complex mechanism. In this cases, failures shows characteristics of complex failure mechanism during progressive mass movements. A case is a merged large slide with two sliding events triggered by slip on fault plane. Another case shows extension of failure area by sliding or subsidence at backyards of toppling areas. Generally, areas of progressive failures have wider than them of simple events.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1997.09a
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• pp.21-50
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• 1997