Stability analysis of rock slopes subjected to seepage forces using the modified Hoek–Brown criterion

The paper deals with the stability analysis of a water-saturated rock slope by means of the kinematic approach of limit analysis theory. Particular emphasis is first given to the effects of pore water pressure on the global stability of geotechnical structures. The rock strength properties being formulated in terms of effective stresses, it is shown how the effect of seepage flow may be accounted for such an analysis through driving body forces derived from the gradient of excess pore pressure distribution is shown. The latter is obtained as the solution to a hydraulic boundary value problem, and then incorporated as external loading in the subsequent stability analysis. The rock strength properties are modeled by a modified Hoek–Brown failure criterion, for which closed-form expressions of the support functions have been derived in a previous paper. The approach is then applied to investigate the stability of rock slopes. Computational results are given, providing ample evidence of the destablizing effects induced by the seepage forces. The influence of relevant geometrical, strength and loading parameters is also discussed.

► Limit analysis for rock structures subjected to seepage forces is formulated.
► It is shown that seepage forces are derived from the gradient of pore pressure.
► The seepage forces are computed by means of a finite element procedure.
► Stability analysis of rock slopes subjected to seepage forces is presented.