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Controls on Block Toppling Using a Three-Dimensional Distinct Element Approach

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Abstract

Analysis methods for block toppling are most commonly undertaken in two dimensions. This paper investigates the influence of discontinuity orientations on three-dimensional block toppling mechanisms using a three-dimensional distinct element code. The three-dimensional models allow one to kinematically appraise if toppling conditions derived for two-dimensional geometries can be extended into three dimensions. Two conceptual model geometries were considered in order to represent a road cut or open-pit bench. The first geometry examined a slope with fixed vertical lateral boundaries, while the second geometry assumed an unrestrained lateral slope as a model boundary condition. This “along-strike slope profile” of the models was found to play an important role in the failure mechanism and displacement direction. The dip direction and dip angle of the toppling, basal and lateral release discontinuities were varied one at the time using angular ranges of up to 30° from an assumed mutual orthogonal relationship. This made it possible for the influence and importance of each discontinuity set to be independently evaluated. The results are presented in a stereographic format with preliminary zones outlining discontinuity aspect combinations that potentially result in block toppling failures.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this research was provided by an NSERC post-graduate scholarship to M.-A. Brideau and an NSERC Discovery grant to D. Stead. The authors would like to acknowledge the comments on the manuscript from the reviewers.

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  1. Earth Science Department, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada

    Marc-André Brideau & Doug Stead

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  1. Marc-André Brideau
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  2. Doug Stead
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Correspondence to Marc-André Brideau.

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Brideau, MA., Stead, D. Controls on Block Toppling Using a Three-Dimensional Distinct Element Approach. Rock Mech Rock Eng 43, 241–260 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-009-0052-2

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