Discrete element analysis of deformation features of slope controlled by karst fissures under the mining effect: a case study of Pusa landslide, China

Abstract

Karst landforms are widely distributed in the southwestern mountain areas of China, and the continuous underground mining activities lead to frequent occurrence of catastrophic collapses and landslides. Revealing the relationship between the development characteristics of the controlling karst fissures and the slope deformation process is crucial to understand the collapse and landslide phenomena. The Pusa landslide is selected as the geological prototype of discrete element analysis, and the universal distinct element code (UDEC) is applied to simulate the overall deformation response of the mountain containing extensive karst fissure during the mining process. The results show that under the action of mining, the roof above the goaf bends and subsides, and the middle of the roof even breaks and collapses. The separation fractures effectively block the upward transmission of the collapse state of the rock stratum. The bottom of the karst fissure is susceptible to cracking first in the process of coal seam mining due to stress concentration, and the area of severe deformation in the slope coincides with the mining pressurization area. The morphology of the karst fissure controls and determines the deformation characteristics of the rock mass at the slope top, and only the karst fissure located within the mining influence range is the object to be considered in the slope stability analysis. The limit karst fracture depth, about 1/3 of the slope height, is the limit value to determine whether the rock mass at the slope top is toppled or slipped. The relationship between the karst fissure and the free surface gradually changes from the directional or co-directional to the reverse, the motion state of the rock mass at the slope top changes from slipping to toppling, and the role of karst fissure changes from a potential slip surface to the cracking boundary. Although the deformation damage of the reverse structural slope is not very serious, the influence of the karst fissure on the stability of the slope still cannot be ignored. This study aims to provide basic theoretical support for the subsequent research on the failure mechanism of karst mountains under the combined action of multi-structural planes.

Keywords:

• Underground mining
• slope
• karst fissure
• discrete element
• deformation feature

Disclosure statement

No potential competing interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (Zhongping Yang), upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2021YFB3901402, 2018YFC1504802), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41972266), and the National Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (cstc2021jcyj-msxmX0558).