Experimental investigation on strength behaviour of sloping rock mass under a footing placed at variable edge distance

Abstract

Rocks are inherently strong and stable to withstand loads imposed by usual foundations However design engineers must be aware of the dangers associated with unfavorable joint and site conditions In civil engineering applications the slope stability is a concern in many projects in hilly as well as plain terrains such as foundations of structures buildings bridges power houses dams etc transportation routes highways railways canals pipelines tunnels etc and underground storages and basements In mining engineering applications projects related to open and underground excavations essentially need consideration of slope stability analysis in order to maintain the slope in stable condition during construction as well as operation newline newline In the present study an attempt has been made to investigate the strength behaviour of jointed sloping rock masses subject to footing loading through physical model tests Tests have been performed on large size rock mass under plane strain condition A footing was placed at variable edge distance and applied monotonic loading on the mass Natural sand stone has been used to assemble rock mass specimen The tests were performed by varying joint angle and Side slope and#945; from 0º to 90º at an interval of 15º newline The study concluded that modes of failure are governed by joint angle For the joint angle 90and#730; to 45and#730; buckling mode of failure and less than 45and#730; sliding mode of failure may be assumed for slopping jointed rock mass A non linear strength criterion given by Singh and Singh 2012 was used to get the influence of confinement Guideline has been suggested to assess the ultimate bearing capacity of the slopping rock mass in the field newline newline