Ju Nengpan

Effect of the inclined weak interlayers on the rainfall response of a bedded rock slope

Engineering experience shows that outward dipping bedded rock slopes, especially including weak interlayers, are prone to slide under rainfall conditions. To investigate the effect of inclined weak interlayers at various levels of depth below the surface on the variation of displacements and stresses in bedded rock slopes, four geo-mechanical model tests with artificial rainfall have been conducted. Displacements, water content as well as earth pressure in the model were monitored by means of various FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) sensors. The results showed that the amount of displacement of a slope with a weak interlayer is 2.8 to 6.2 times larger than that of a slope without a weak interlayer during one rainfall event. Furthermore, the position of the weak interlayer in terms of depth below the surface has a significant effect on the zone of deformation in the model. In the slope with a high position weak interlayer, the recorded deformation was larger in the superficial layer of the model and smaller in the frontal portion than in the slope with a low position weak interlayer. The slope with two weak interlayers has the largest deformation at all locations of all test slopes. The slope without a weak interlayer was only saturated in its superficial layer, while the displacement decreased with depth. That was different from all slopes with a weak interlayer in which the largest displacement shifted from the superficial layer to the weak interlayer when rainfall persisted. Plastic deformation of the weak interlayer promoted the formation of cracks which caused more water to flow into the slope, thus causing larger deformation in the slope with weak interlayers. In addition, the slide thrust pressure showed a vibration phenomenon 0.5 to 1 hour ahead of an abrupt increase of the deformation, which was interpreted as a predictor for rainfall-induced failure of bedded rock slopes.

Cyclic load testing of pre-stressed rock anchors for slope stabilization

The objective of this research was to assess the characteristics of seismic induced damage and the deformation patterns of pre-stressed cement-grouted cables that are used for rock slope stabilization projects subjected to quasi-static cyclic loading. The experimental configuration includes the installation of 15 pre-stressed cables in a slope model made of concrete blocks (theoretically rigid rock mass) on top of a pre-existing sliding surface. The study showed that: (i) The pre-stressed cables exhibited great seismic performance. Rapid displacement of the model blocks was observed after the complete loss of the initial pre-stress load under continued applied cyclic loads and exceedance of the state of equilibrium, which implies the higher the initial pre-stress load, the better the seismic performance of the rock anchor; (ii) The failure of the pre-stressed cables was due to fracture at the connection of the tendons and cable heads under cyclic loading. The sequence of failure had a distinct pattern. Failure was first observed at the upper row of cables, which experienced the most severe damage, including the ejection of cable heads. No evidence of de-bonding was observed during the cyclic loading; (iii) The stress distribution of the bond length for pre-stressed cables was highly non-uniform. High stress concentrations were observed at both the fixed end and the free end of the bond length both before and immediately after the state of equilibrium is exceeded. The results obtained can be used to evaluate the overall performance of pre-stressed rock anchors subject to seismic loading and their potential as rockfall prevention and stabilization measures.

Notice of Retraction Establishing a national distinguishing field of Civil Engineering on mountains of complicated geological condition

In 1988, Chinese educational ministry had rearranged the disciplines in advanced education, among which the civil engineering disciplines became one of the most complex one. How to make it distinguishing and highly qualified for undergraduate course is a difficult problem confronting us. This article mainly introduced some reform measures and the profits of Chengdu University of Technologys Civil Engineering education. It may provide us some valuable reference for civil engineering education under new situation.