Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers ISSN:2288-0291(Print) 2288-2790(Online) 한국자원공학회지

Numerical modeling of cut slope has some limits in simulating the real slopes. In the case of 2D analysis of slope stability, it is assumed that slope is simply straight even though it is concave or convex in longitudinal direction of slopes. In this study, 3D analysis in slopes which are curved in plan view has been conducted for the comparison with 2D analysis in terms of failure mode and factor of safety. It was also observed how safety factors of slopes were affected by the variation of the tensile strength, which is important variable to decide whether the slope fails or not. In the case of concave slope, FLAC2D analysis showed higher safety factors by 10-34 % differences depending on the radius of curvature of slopes and FLAC3D analysis showed much higher results by 14-42 % differences, compared to the analysis of straight slopes under plane strain condition. In the case of convex slope, however, two results showed very little difference from the straight slopes. Finally, 3D analysis of wedge failure, which can not be fully analyzed by 2D methods, was also conducted. From these series of analyses, the influence of discontinuity on the behaviour of slope could be much more clearly revealed. Such results are expected to contribute to the better understanding of failure process and could be applied for improved design of slopes.