A columnar joint network is a natural fracture pattern with high symmetry, which leads to the anisotropy mechanical property of columnar basalt. For a better understanding the mechanical behavior, a novel modeling method for columnar jointed rock mass through field investigation is proposed in this paper. Natural columnar jointed networks lies between random and centroidal Voronoi tessellations. This heterogeneity of columnar cells in shape and area can be represented using the coefficient of variation, which can be easily estimated. Using the bisection method, a modified Lloyd’s algorithm is proposed to generate a Voronoi diagram with a specified coefficient of variation. Modelling of the columnar jointed rock mass using six parameters is then presented. A case study of columnar basalt at Baihetan Dam is performed to demonstrate the feasibility of this method. The results show that this method is applicable in the modeling of columnar jointed rock mass as well as similar polycrystalline materials.

Large-scale slopes at the banks of reservoirs pose a serious threat to the safety of hydropower stations. The fluctuation of the reservoir water level is a key factor in the slope stability. However, the parameters to describe the relationship among water content, matric suction, and soil strength are difficult to measure using unsaturated soil strength theory. To solve this problem, a simple FEM-LEM-combined scheme considering pore pressure, seepage force, and strength weakening is presented to calculate the safety factor. A numerical study on the impact of reservoir water level fluctuations on stability of a glaciofluvial deposit slope is implemented. Two typical profiles are used to estimate the stability of the glaciofluvial deposit slope in response to rising and lowering water levels. The results indicate that this method proposed a simple and efficient tool for water level-induced slope stability analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the anisotropic characteristics of the special structure of a columnar jointed rock masses and provide reference to forecast the behavioral characteristics of real samples. Design/methodology/approach: This study used FLAC3D numerical software to simulate the mechanical behavior of columnar jointed rock masses with different columns angles (ß) under different stress conditions. The peak strength, elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio were obtained to investigate the strength, deformation characteristics and failure modes of the rock masses under conventional and true triaxial compression. Findings: The results showed that the compressive strength of the specimens presents a U-shape under different joint inclinations. The strength of the specimens reaches a maximum value when ß = 90°, and the value for ß = 0° is slightly lower and reaches a minimum value when ß = 50°. The elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the samples are obviously anisotropic, the anisotropic coefficient decreases with increasing confining pressure. When σ₂ ≠ σ₃, the peak strengths of the samples are related to the direction of the minor principal stress, and the failure modes of the samples are related to the confining pressure and joint inclination. Originality/value: The present paper uses a numerical simulation method to examine the strength and deformation characteristics of a columnar jointed rock mass under conventional and true triaxial compression. The aim is to provide a reference to forecast the mechanical characteristics of test samples in the laboratory.

This paper explores the deformation behaviour of 1^# toppling rock slope, located on the right bank of the Lancang River upstream of Huangdeng Hydropower Station in China. Field monitoring data show that the surficial and deep displacements of the toppling rock slope increase greatly during the second stage of the impoundment period. The deformation of the toppling rock slope in the lower part is generally larger than that in the higher part, and the displacement near the dam side is larger than that farther from dam. Furthermore, the horizontal deep displacement decreases with increasing depth of the slope. Based on the measured displacements of the toppling rock slope, the grey relational analysis (GRA) method is used to explore the correlations between the slope displacement rate and the relevant influencing factors, including rainfall, water level fluctuation, time and air temperature. The results show that the main control factors influencing the slope displacement rate are the water level fluctuation followed by rainfall. The findings may suggest that the 1^# toppling rock slope has the potential of hydrodynamic instability, and the water level fluctuation caused by the reservoir operation should be fully concerned to avoid the instability of the toppling rock slope.

Porosity change is a common characteristic of natural soils in fluid-solid interaction problems, which can lead to an obvious change of the soil-water retention curve (SWRC). The influence of porosity on soil water retention phenomena is investigated by a theoretical model and an experimental test in this study. A model expressing the change in suction with porosity and effective saturation is put forward theoretically. The model is based on an idealization of three-phase porous materials, the pore structures of which are homogeneous and isotropic. It accounts for the porosity effect on soil water retention, using four parameters with clear physical meanings. The presented model can obtain the SWRC at any porosity, which will reduce the test number required in characterizing the hydraulic behavior of soil. A laboratory experiment for loamy sand with different porosities is performed. The test results show that suction has a significant variation with changes in porosity and decreases with the increase of porosity. The formulation is verified by both the test data and the literature data for FEBEX bentonite and Boom clay. The very good agreements between measured and predicted results show that the SWRC model is reliable and feasible for various soils.