Material Spatial Variability and Slope Stability for Weak Rock Masses

The presence of weak materials, bedding, or discontinuities at critical locations could lead to local or large-scale failures of natural or excavated slopes or tunnels. Material spatial variation of Eagle Ford Shale in Texas was established based on laboratory and field testing results. A random field model was used to characterize the material spatial variation, and the correlation distance for the Eagle Ford Shale strength variability was evaluated. Impacts of material property variability and spatial variability on slope stability were analyzed using Monte Carlo simulation with distinct element modeling using random field elements implicitly embedded in the numerical analyses. This study provides insight into the significance of material spatial variation on stability, possible failure mechanisms, and critical locations of weak materials in a shale mass.