Dynamic Collapse Simulation of Rock Slope Model Tests Using Extended RBSM Based on a Hierarchical Validation Approach

  • Yamada, Koichiro (Hosei University)
  • Yamamoto, Yoshihito (Hosei University)

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Recent years, Japan has faced urgent challenges in conducting advanced seismic stability assessments for discontinuous rock slopes, driven by instances of slope failures during massive earthquakes and damage occurring near critical structures. Numerical simulations capable of quantitatively reproducing the collapse process of the entire structure from rock mass crack propagation are useful for this evaluation. However, reproducing discontinuous surface mechanics is difficult. A key challenge is reconciling microscopic contact properties with macroscopic behavior for reliable parameter determination. On the other hand, the authors propose a method that extends Rigid-Body-Spring-Model (RBSM) to rigorously account for geometric nonlinearity and contact behavior, while enabling unified treatment from static to dynamic analysis. A characteristic feature of the dynamic analysis in this method is that it employs an implicit method for time integration, thereby ensuring high numerical stability even for strongly nonlinear collapse behavior. In this study, to validate the method, reproduction analyses were performed on the Japan Society of Civil Engineers benchmark experiments using metal hexagonal bars. These experiments consist of three stages: 1) basic two-element level mechanical response tests, 2) single-plane shear and triaxial compression tests as a stacked model, and 3) vibration tests on slope models. This study adopted a bottom-up validation approach, progressing from basic model verification to the evaluation of complex slope responses. Analysis results confirmed that the response characteristics of element tests and dynamic slope failure modes were generally reproduced. However, applying element-derived parameters to stacked models tended to overestimate strength and toughness, highlighting a challenge for future work.