DEM study of structuralized cemented slopes under excavation conditions

• Published in: Powder technology Vol. 448; p. 120341
• Main Authors: Liu, Sujia, Zhang, Ga
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2024
• Subjects: anisotropy; DEM; evolution; Excavation; Fabric; fabrics; Failure; mechanical stress; Slope; solidification; Structuralized cementation; technology; Excavation; Fabric; DEM; Structuralized cementation; Failure; Slope
• ISSN: 0032-5910
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2024.120341

Structuralized cementation has emerged as a promising method for reinforcing excavated slopes. The Discrete Element analysis is conducted on the structuralized cemented slopes under excavation with its validity verified through centrifuge model tests. The results indicate that structuralized cemented slopes exhibit progressive failure from the bottom to the top under excavation conditions. As the slope elevation decreases, the failure mode transitions from tension failure to shear failure, due to the presence of tensile stress only in the upper part of the slope. Microscopically, structuralized cementation prevents contact breakage, reducing fabric anisotropy and the variation of contact orientation from the vertical direction. Macroscopically, it increases the safety limit of slopes. The significant coupling between fabric evolution localization and local failure explains the failure mechanism of structuralized cemented slopes under excavation conditions. Increasing the size of the solidification zone reduces the localization extent of fabric evolution, thereby reinforcing the slope. [Display omitted] •Slope failure mode changes from tension to shear failure with decreasing elevation.•Structuralized cementation provides a significantly reinforcement on slopes.•Structuralized cementation prevents contact broken to reduce fabric anisotropy.•Slope local failure is induced by localization of fabric evolution.•Solidification zone reinforces slope by weakening localization of fabric evolution.