Eurock '96, Barla (ed.) 1996 Balkema, Rolterdam.

ISBN 90 5410 843 6

Numerical modelling of rock slope deformations
Modelisation numerique des deformations d'un versant rocheux
Numerische Modellierung von Deformationen einer Felsboschung
1.M. Vengeon, D. Hantz, A.Giraud & D. Raet -IRIGM-LGM, Universite Joseph Fourier de Grenoble,
France
ABSTRACT: Near Grenoble (French Alps), a 100 million cubic meters slope movement threatens the
Romanche valley and has been monitored since 1985. The deformation mechanisms are very difficult to
identity. A simplified geomechanical model of the rock mass has been used to simulate the excavation of the
valley, with finite and distinct element methods. The results obtained allow to explain some morphological
features of the slope and are compatible with the present movements.
RESUME. Pres de Grenoble (Alpes francaises), un mouvernent de versant de 100 millions de metres cube, qui
menace la vallee de la Romanche, est ausculte depuis 1985. Les rnecanismes de deformation sont tres difficiles a
identifier. Un modele geornecanique simplifie du massif rocheux a ete utilise pour simuler I'excavation de la
vallee, par les methodes des elements finis et des elements distincts. Les resultats obtenus fournissent une
explication de certains traits morphologiques du versant et sont compatibles avec les mouvements actuels.
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Nahe Grenoble (franzosische Alpen) befindet sich ein seit 1985 unter Beobachtung
stehendes Hangrutschungsgebiet mit einem Volumen von 100 Millionen Kubikmetern, welches das Tal der
Romanche bedroht. Die Verformungsmechanismen sind sehr schwer identifizierbar. Ein vereinfachtes
geomechanisches Modell der Felsboschung mit finiten und distinkten Elementen wurde zur Simulation der
Talentstehung genutzt Die erhaltenen Ergebnisse erklaren einige morphologische Besonderheiten dieser
Felsboschung und entsprechen den momentan stattfindenden Bewegungen.
1 fNTRODUCTION
Deformation mechanisms of some large slope
movements in mountain areas are very difficult to
identity To be understood, they need to be
considered as the result of a long term geological
process, and then to be analyzed in the appropriate
space-time scale. This is the case for the Sechilienne
slope movement, which will be described later.
The geomechanical models presented in this paper
have been elaborated to highlight the evolution of the
rock mass, due to the formation of the valley, and to
analyze the influence of different factors on its
present behaviour. The models are not aimed at
predicting the future behavior of the slope. We think
that, for movements which are as complex as the
Sechilienne landslide, geomechanical simulations are
not sufficient for this purpose, and must be used
together with more empirical approaches.
N
SECHILIENNE
SLOPE MOVEMENT
o 2 4km
L...l.....LL..J
Figure I Location map showing the site of the
Sechilienne instability
659
2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SECHILIENNE SLOPE
MOVEMENT
The Sechilienne slope movement takes place on the
north flank of the Rornanche valley, 20 km upstream
from Grenoble (Figure 1). Rockfalls at the front of
the unstable mass were well known by the former
generations of inhabitants who called the site "Les
Ruines" Their reactivation in 1985 proved
dangerous for a major highway (RN 91) and led to a
complete geological survey of the slope and to the
installation of a large monitoring net to measure
displacements, by geodesy and extensometry. These
studies showed that the movement extends up to the
crest and, consequently, that the unstable mass is
much larger than the 3 million cubic meters of the
very active frontal zone.
First volume estimation of the unstable mass was
50 million cubic meters but recent geodesic and
underground observations lead to an estimation of
about 100 million cubic meters.
Different rockfall scenarios have been studied to
estimate and prevent the damages wind effect,
damming of the valley, flooding ... But the prediction
of the probable rupture scenario is very difficult
because of the hugeness of the mobile mass involved
and because of the complexity of the slope structure
and of its deformation mode (Giraud et al., 1990,
Antoineetal.,1994)
2.1 Geomorphology
The slope angle is approximately 45 from the
bottom of the valley (330 m) up to the altitude of
950 m and then around 20 up to the top of the
Mont-Sec at I 125 m (Figure 2). Near the crest, a 20
meters high cliff reveals an old settlement. It is
assumed that this morphology and the instability
result mainly from the glacial history of the valley.
II flO
1000
90.
800
70.
tillll
~11(1
[rhrlll'
'00
'L , . 2 ( 1
J OO
U:S tWINES
~
I. A HOi\!ANnn:
I
Figure 2 : Topographic profile of the unstable zone.
2.2 Geology and structure
From a geological point of view, the rock mass that
builds up the slope is quite homogeneous and is
constituting of micaschists (hercynian metamorphic
rocks) On the main part of the slope, the foliation is
almost vertical and displays a north-south
orientation. The structure is rather complex with a
dense fracturing pattern and the presence of
mylonitic zones.
The structural survey of the whole zone (Figure 3)
shows five main joints sets playing a major role in the
deformability of the rock mass:
the foliation (north-south to N20, vertical),
mobilized by huge shear zones (Fol);
east-west subvertical fractures (Fl) ;
north-east - south-west subvertical fractures (F2) ;
north-west - south east subvertical fractures (F3),
mainly represented in the east part of the unstable
zone;
east - west fractures dipping from 30 to 60
toward the valley (F4), mostly discontinuous but
homogeneously distributed on the slopes.
Contrarily to the other sets, the tectonic history of
the area does not explain the genesis of this joint
set.
Figure 3: Stereographic projection (lower
hemisphere) of the main families of joints on
Sechilienne site.
2-3 Deformation of the slope
The east - west (F 1) and north-east - south-west
(F2) fractures cut the rock mass into slices and
660
are associated with a series of linear depressions and
small ridges parallel to the valley. The movements
Vectors are orthogonal to these depressions and less
inclined than the slope and than the F4 joint set
(between 10 and 20) ..
The rate of opening of the main fractures between
adjacent slices is quite homogeneous (a few
cm/year). The monitoring data show a cyclic
variation in opening velocities connected with the
hydraulic regime of the massif.
The foliation (F) has no direct effect on the
stability of the rock mass but weakens the
mechanical characteristics of the micaschists and
allows the individualization of cinematically distinct
blocs.
1200
1000
800
600
Romanche
River
!
Altitude (rn)
Figure 4 : Cross section of the slope movement.
The association of the fractures dipping toward
the valley with those determining depressions in the
slope allows the development of a progressive
internal failure with lateral dilatation of the mass
(Figure 4)
The relationships between the structure and the
slope deformation highlight many questions among
which the most important are:
What is the influence of the slice-structure on the
global deformation of the rock mass?
What are the roles of the fractures dipping toward
the valley and how have they been generated?
Can a major slope failure happen, how and at
what depth?
3 MODELING AND SIMULATION
3.1 Geometry and structure
The valley is cylindrical, with a symmetrical U-
shaped (rectangular) or V -shaped cross section. It is
1000 m deep and has been excavated from an
horizontal surface in a semi-infinite homogenous
medium. Preliminary analyses have been made to
place the limits of the numerical model sufficiently far
from the valley (Vengeon, 1994). According to this
analysis, the depth of the model was fixed to 5000 m
and its half-width to 6000 m (Figure 5). Vertical
joints, parallel to the valley, have been assumed.
A
~Y B
x
- ->
0
I
c
D
E
Figure 5 : Geometry and boundary conditions of the
model for finite and distinct element methods
simulations.
3.2 Mechanical properties
Stress and displacement fields in a rock mass are the
result of complex processes, which are controlled by
the elastic, viscous and plastic properties of the rock
and the discontinuities As a first approach, the rock
material and the joints are assumed to be
elastoplastic.
The mechanical parameters of the intact rock are
estimated using the classification of Deere and Miller.
The uniaxial compressive strength of a schist in the
direction of foliation lies between 75 and 150 l'v1Pa.
A value of 100 l'v1Pais chosen for the simulations,
with a Young modulus of 50 GPa, a Poisson
coefficient of 0.33 and a specific weight of 25
kN/m
3
.
The Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is adopted
for the joints, with no dilatancy, zero cohesion and a
friction angle of 20 or 30
3.3 Initial state of stress
The state of stress in the semi-infinite medium before
the excavation of the valley has been simulated,
assuming the plane strain hypothesis. Different
boundary conditions have been introduced. For the
case with no tectonic stresses, a zero horizontal
displacement is imposed on the vertical boundaries of
the model. This leads to an horizontal/vertical stress
ratio of 0.5.
Two methods are used to simulate the effect of
tectonic stresses. With the Cesar finite element code,
661
a constant horizontal displacement of 3 m is applied
on the rear boundary in order to simulate an
horizontal tectonic stress of 25 MPa, which is equal
to the vertical gravity stress at a depth of 1000 m.
With the Udec distinct element code, it is possible to
impose different values of the horizontal/vertical
stress ratio, ranging between 0.5 et 2.5.
3.4 Excavation of the valley
The excavation of a valley by glaciers is a complex
process, involving the sliding of ice on the rock mass
and lasting several thousand years. Nevertheless the
excavation is simulated as if it was instantaneous (or
as a succession of several instantaneous stages) and
with the hypothesis of plane strain. The simulated
displacements cannot be compared quantitatively
with those measured since 1985. They might only
explain some morphological features of the slope.
4 SIMULATING THE EXCAVATION OF A
RECTANGULAR VALLEY
This study was performed using both finite element
method (Cesar code, LCPC) and distinct element
method (Udec code, Itasca Consultants) and good
agreement was 'obtained between the two numerical
approaches. The rock mass is cut by six vertical
semi-infinite joints that determine five vertical slices.
The corresponding deformation mode, shown on
Figure 6, is complex.
4. I Deformation mode
The first feature of the deformation, also observed
on an homogeneous massif, is the elastic rebound of
the valley when the 1000 meters of rock are
excavated. This phenomenon has been evoked by
different authors to explain the occurrence in the
valleys of vertical joints or shear zones (Matheson
and Thomson, 1973). This rebound induces a
distortion of the valley angle which influences greatly
the slope deformation, causing a bulging of the lower
third of the slope. It also causes sliding to occur on
the first joint far under the level of the valley (Figure
7)
The second component of the deformation is
related to the slice-structure of the massif. It is
characterised by two different patterns according to
the position of the slice. On Figure 6, the two frontal
slices topple over the valley with maximum
horizontal displacement at the crest, whereas the rear
ones show a S shape: a combination of the valley
rebound distortion at the bottom and of slight
toppling at the top. The magnitude of the computed
horizontal displacements is low but it is not sure that
the chosen elastic modulus E=50 GPa, measured in
laboratory, is significant at the scale of the whole
slope.
Figure 6 : Horizontal displacements in a rock mass
with vertical slopes, cut by six vertical joints (friction
angle ~=200).
Contour values: 1=-0.02m, 3=0.02m, 5=0.06m
7=0.llm, 9=O. 16m
The relative movement of the slices during the
creation of the valley is illustrated on Figure 7. The
stars indicate the zone of sliding on the joints.
Further up, the joint are open. This shear zone is
diagonal in the massif, with decreasing thicknesS
from the bottom of the slope to the crest. The first
discontinuity is deeply sheared by the elastic rebound
of the valley floor.
4.2 Stress distribution
Another diagonal zone is formed by the
concentration of vertical stress on the front side of
the flexing slices and the deficit on the rear side
Thus, in this zone, there is a discontinuity of vertical
stress from one side of the vertical joints to another
The maximum of octahedral stress occurs at the foot
of the slope. It does not lead to the failure of the
rock matrix 50% of the limit stress).
662
:::
<F 3O
:
0
<F
2Oo
)
)
FIgure 7: Sliding zone on the vertical J OInts behind a
vertical slope (no tectonic stress). Depth and
thickness of the zone increase when the friction angle
Onthe joints (cjdecreases.
43 Influence of parameters.
Friction angle of the vertical joints
The deformation is clearly larger with a value of the
friction angle of 20 than with 30 (Figure 7). If
lj>==30, the sliding zone on vertical joints is 300 rn to
50 m thick from the front to the rear of the model
(first joint excepted). Its upper limit rises from the
valley corner up to the top of the last J OInt at
approximately 45. If cj>=20, the thickness of t~e
sliding zone varies from 800 m to 300 rn and Its
upper limit is inclined by 30.
Tectonic stress
The introduction of an horizontal stress equivalent to
the weight of the excavated soil column (25 Mpa)
alllplifies notably the toppling of the slices and
extends the sliding zone on the vertical joints.
The of octahedral stress exceeds the limit only in
the first slice, close to the foot of the slope. From
this value of the tectonic stress and further up,
tension appears on the rear face of the toppling
slices.
Elastoplastic behaviour of the rock mass .
An elastoplastic behaviour of the rock WIth the
Mohr-Coulomb criterion (tensile strength Rt=I 0
MFa) has been tested with a high tectonic stress
(k==O"jJ O"v=2) Toppling is then limited to the two
front slices and the horizontal displacement IS
reduced by a factor 0.7 in comparison with the
elastic case. In the same way, the accumulation of
stress near the borders of the slices is lowered and
the principal directions are hornogenised,
5 SIMULATING THE EXCA VA nON OF A
V-SHAPED VALLEY
This study has been realised with the distinct element
method (Udec code, Itasca), well adapted to
geomechanical problems including sets of joints The
slopes studied are inclined at 39.7, 45or 63.4 and
cut by ten vertical semi-infinite joints with an
horizontal spacing of 100 m.
100 m
1000m
Figure 8: Different slope morphologies studied:
81=63.4 , 8
2
=45and 8
3
=39.7.
5.1 Deformation mode
This more realistic geometry confirms the
deformation mode previously observed, corrected
from the exaggeration induced by the vertical slope
angle. The deformation is still affected by the
competition between the toppling effect and the S
shape. The final result is strongly influenced by all the
tested parameters: slope angle, friction on the joints,
tectonic stress, rhythm of excavation.
5.2 Stress distribution
The perturbation of the vertical stress distribution by
sliding on the vertical joints (Figure 9) is much more
extended than for a vertical slope.
The extension and the depth of this perturbed
zone depends on the slope angle and on the friction
on the vertical joints. The major oscillations indicate
the flexion zone caused by the toppling of the slice
above. Figure 9 shows that the joints behind the top
of the slope are open without toppling too much. It
also reveals that the depth of opening of the vertical
joints decreases quickly at the bottom of the slope.
663
ALTITU/)E 1m)
1000
Open vertical joint
HIIII
600
400
200
Figure 9 : Oscillations of the vertical stress contours
induced by sliding on the vertical joints (0.=39 7,
<1>=20)
Applying a low tectonic stress (k=crl/crv=I), we
note the apparition of tension zones on the rear face
of the lower slices (Figure 10).
2 10
\
190 \
17.
" -
-,
" -
-,
<,
I. ! ' O
-,
<,
" -
" -
<,
<,
<,
<,
uo
"-
<,
<,
<,
" -
<,
<,
<,
<,
<,
<,
II. <,
<,
"<,
<,
<,
<,
<,
(. 00 G20 G'.
,
"
" -
,
,
,
" -
" -
" -
" -
"
"
"
<,
" -
<,
,
,
\
"
"
" -
6l
" - -,
"-
"-
"-
"- <,
"-
G 700
Figure 10 : Detail of the tension zone in the fourth
rock slice. Note the abrupt change in direction of the
principal stresses from one side of the joint to the
other. Vertical lines figure the sliding joints.
5.3 Influence of parameters
Slope angle
Three values of the slope angle have been tested'
81=634 (tg81=083), 82=45, and 8
3
=397
(tgl:),=2). A small slope angle amplifies the elastic
rebound of the valley (+100% between 8I and 83),
and its corollary, the bulging of the lower third of the
slope.
For low slope angles (8
3
=39.7), toppling is quite
generalised, but softened. For steep slopes
(81=634), toppling is limited to the few slices
emerging in the slope, but is also amplified.
Friction angle of the vertical joints
Compared to <1>=30, a low value of <I>(20) increases
the depth and the thickness of the flexion zone
(Figure 9), as indicated by the oscillations of the
vertical stress (+50% for a slope inclined at 39.7).
It also increases the depth of opening of the vertical
joints. This phenomenon is observed particularly for
the low slope angles. When the slope is steep, flexion
is strongly amplified but limited to the slices
emerging in the slope.
Tectonic stress
Tectonic stress increases the horizontal
displacements on the whole slope. However at the
same time, it increases the normal stress on the
vertical joints as far as they are strongly embedded.
This tectonic stress effect improves the shear
resistance of the vertical joints (and limits the
toppling) when the slope angle is low. When the
slope is steep, the tectonic stress mainly amplifies the
toppling of the slices that emerge in the slope.
Progressive excavation
During the five excavation steps, displacements
increase non-linearly with the depth of excavation:
the deformation is larger for the last steps of
excavation. Progressive excavation always resulted in
smaller final displacements than an instantaneous
one. The steeper the slope is, the larger the difference
is : -5% for 82=45 and -25% for a vertical slope. In
this case, the risk of tension failure occurring in the
first slice is much smaller (safety factor: + 54%)
when the excavation is progressive but the shear
stress is closer to the limit in the area of the valley
corner (safety factor -15%).
6 APPLICA nON TO THE SECHILIENNE SLOPE
6.1 Influence of the vertical joints on the deformation
of the rock mass.
This study shows that the vertical joints control the
deformation of the massif, inducing a complex mode
664
of deformation which combines toppling with
uplifting and distortion due to the elastic valley
rebound. As a result, the front slices tend to
topple whereas the rear ones evolve to a S
shape (see 4.1)
This simple scheme of the slope genesis does not
attempt to represent the monitored displacements.
Nevertheless, it is compatible with the main
observations
nowhere on the slope is any disorder observed
that could be interpreted as the emergence of a
sliding surface;
the displacement vectors have small inclination, as
if the front slices were still toppling today,
the depressions corresponding to the vertical
joints are opening;
on top of the slope, a 20 rn high cliff reveals an
eventual old settlement.
This last point is to be discussed because the
model indicates a competition between the uplifting
Component of the elastic valley rebound and the
settlement induced by the S shape deformation.
However, at the time scale of the valley excavation,
the uplifting may be considered as instantaneous and
does not create any typical morphology because the
surface of the massif is still strongly eroded at this
phase. Toppling and the S shape deformation
may develop more progressively, likely after the
glaciers have melted and thus erosion has slowed
down. Therefore, settlement due to the S shape
may explain the main morphological accidents on top
of the present slope.
The magnitude of the deformation computed is
very sensitive to the value of the friction angle on the
vertical joints (see 4.3 and 53) In order to control
the deformation of the massif, the vertical
discontinuities must have low mechanical
characteristics, that is they must be crushed,
weathered, smooth or wet: ...The value <1>=20might
be representative of some major crushed and
weathered zones that have been observed in old mine
galleries and in the 240 m long tunnel bored during
the years 1994 and 1995. The vertical joints might
have been weakened by the vertical shearing
movement and the water flows induced by the glacial
excavation of the valley.
62 Origin of the fractures dipping toward the valley
and their role.
The computed deformation mode induces a diagonal
zone with concentration of stress on the front face of
the slices and deficit on the rear face. Under certain
Conditions (tectonic stress), tension may locally
appear (Figure 11). This state of stress is likely to
create or propagate fractures dipping toward the
valley (see 4.2 and 5.2). This can explain the
occurrence of such joints and their small extension (a
few meters).
TRACTION
(7,4 MPa)
(31 MPa) ,
COMl'RESSIO:'>J
Figure I I Maximum tensile stress computed, on the
rear face of the second slice with low tectonic stress
(a=45, <1>=30,k=<J ,/<J , I)
In this case, they should appear rather on the rear
face of the slices. This fact has not been verified
because of the lack of adequate observation spots
(eg. deep galleries crossing several slices) The joints
which have been observed on the ground surface may
correspond to the flexion zone of a former stage of
valley excavation.
6.3 Can a major slope failure happen, how and at
what depth?
The computed diagonal flexion zone (see 6.2) evokes
a weakness zone of the rock mass and a possible
rupture localisation. Nevertheless, the stress
distribution along this zone is very discontinuous (see
4:2 and 5.2) and might induce crack propagation at
different levels for each slice. This suggests that the
slope might evolve rather toward the failure of each
slice (maybe in chain) than toward the development
of a global rupture surface. This study does not
warranty this scenario neither predict its chronology
However, this remark is of great importance because
the propagation of a rock avalanche strongly depends
on the collapsing mass: ten rock avalanches of ten
million cubic meters each have a much smaller
environmental impact than one sudden avalanche of a
hundred million cubic meters (wind effect,
propagation limit..)
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7CONCLUSION
Far from trying to simulate the present movement of
the Sechilienne slope, this numerical study highlights
the difficulty of modelling such a complex natural
phenomenon. Nevertheless, it clarifies the influence
of the vertical joints on the deformation and the
origin of the joints dipping toward the valley. It also
suggests that a progressive failure could be more
probable than a sudden global one. The model has
proved very sensitive to the friction angle on the
vertical joints and to the tectonic stress but these two
pararneterss are very difficult to evaluate in situ.
For the future, important questions remain, such
as the interaction with the ice during the formation of
the valley or the way the underground flows control
the present deformation of the rock mass.
REFERENCES
Antoine, P. & A.Giraud & H.Evrard & L.Rochet
1994. A huge slope movement at Sechilienne, (sere,
France. Landslide News n08 pf5-f8.
Giraud, A. & L.Rochet & PAntoine 1990.
Processes of failure in crystallophyllian formations
Engineering Geology, 29, p2-lf-253.
Starfield, A.M & PA. Cundall 1988. Toward a
methodology for rock mechanics modelling fill. J.
Rock Mech. Mill. Sci. &Geeomech. Abstr. Vol 25,
No3, pp99-106.
Matheson, OS & SThomson 1973. Geological
implications of valley rebound. Canadian Journal of
Earth Sciences, 10, 961.
Ract, 0 1995. Modelisation du comportement
mecanique des versants rocheux. Memoire de DEA,
Universite Joseph Fourier, Grenoble.
Vengeon, 1.M 1994. Contribution a l'etude de la
deformation gravitaire du versant des Ruines de
Sechiliennc , Memoire de DEA, Uuivcrsite Joseph
Fourier, Grenoble.
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