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Influence of Tunnel Excavation on the Stability of a Bedded Rock Slope: A Case

Study on the Mountainous Area in Southern Anhui, China

Article in KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering · August 2020

DOI: 10.1007/s12205-020-0831-6

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KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering pISSN 1226-7988, eISSN 1976-3808
DOI 10.1007/s12205-020-0831-6 www.springer.com/12205
Geotechnical Engineering

Influence of Tunnel Excavation on the Stability of a Bedded Rock Slope:

A Case Study on the Mountainous Area in Southern Anhui, China

Danqing Songa, Xiaoli Liua, Zhuo Chenb, Jundong Chenc, and Jianhua Caid
a
State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
b
State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Mountain River Engineering, Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
c
China Academy of Railway Sciences Co. Ltd., Chengdu 611731, China
d
China Railway Southwest Research Institute Co. Ltd., Chengdu 611731, China

ARTICLE HISTORY ABSTRACT

Received 10 May 2020 Tunnel excavation has a substantial effect on the stability of rock slopes. The influence of
Revised 29 July 2020 tunnel excavation on the deformation and mechanical characteristics of a bedded slope is
Accepted 17 August 2020 investigated by analysing the cumulative displacement, stress, and strain of the slope using the
Published Online 9 November 2020 finite-element method (FEM) and field monitoring method. The deformation characteristics of
the surrounding rock of the tunnel and slope with a supporting structure were analysed using
KEYWORDS the FEM under the conditions of support or without support. The results show that the
deformation characteristics of the slope are controlled by its discontinuities. The deformation
Bedded rock slope of the slope is mainly concentrated in the area above the second discontinuity; in particular,
Tunnel excavation the deformation above the first discontinuity is the largest. In addition, the deformation and
Slope stability analysis mechanical characteristics of the support structure are analysed. The supporting structure has
Numerical simulation influence on the deformation of the slope, which reduces the cumulative displacement, stress
Field monitoring
and strain. The shear strains of the second and third discontinuities are greatly influenced by
the supporting structure. The mechanical properties of the tunnel support structure are
controlled by the first discontinuity, and a stress concentration occurs near the first
discontinuity. Moreover, based on the combination of the numerical and field test results, the
deformation of the rock slope is closely related to the distance from the slope surface. Tunnel
excavation mainly has a significant impact on the deformation of surface slope within a certain
range, especially the slope deformation within the range of 4 m, which is the largest.

1. Introduction
There are many influencing factors of slope stability, such as
reservoir water level fluctuations (Song et al., 2017, 2018a),
strong rainfall (Chen et al., 2020; Du et al., 2020), discontinuities
(such as bedding planes, joints, faults, and shear planes) (Liu et
al., 2018), and strong earthquakes (Song et al., 2018b, 2018c). With
an increasing number of large and deep buried tunnels appearing,
the design and construction of the support system of the
surrounding rock has gradually become a challenging issue in
tunnel construction (Koçkar and Akgün, 2003a, 2003b; Yu et al.,
2014; Lin et al., 2016). In particular, the stability of the slopes at
the tunnel entrance and exit portals has been a key issue that
determines the success or failure of tunnel construction (Sopacı
and Akgün, 2008; Akgün et al., 2014; Yertutanol et al., 2020).
Therefore, the influence of tunnel excavation on the slope
stability at the tunnel entrance and exit portals has become an
important research topic.
Many discontinuities are usually distributed in rock mass (Yong
et al., 2018; Song et al., 2018b). Poor geological structures such as
discontinuities weaken the integrity of a rock mass; in particular, the
layered slope contains dominant discontinuities and a large number
of secondary joints (Liu et al., 2008; Yu et al., 2014). The structural
features of rock mass control the stabilization and deformation
characteristics of rock slopes (Li et al., 2017). In addition, the tunnel
entrance and exit portals are generally located on the slope where
weathering cracks are relatively developed (Lin et al., 2016).
Meanwhile, the burial depths of the tunnel entrance and exit portals

CORRESPONDENCE Zhuo Chen chenzhuo2@stu.scu.edu.cn State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Mountain River Engineering, Department of Geotechnical
Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
ⓒ 2020 Korean Society of Civil Engineers
2 D. Song et al.
are relatively shallow, so it is difficult to form a bearing arch in the
upper part of the tunnel structure (Xiang et al., 2007). The tunnel
entrance and exit portals are usually the areas where collapse and
cracking occur. Tunnel excavation is one of the important triggering
factors of landslides (Wang et al., 2016). During the process of tunnel
excavation, blasting and unloading of the surrounding rock may
decrease the stability of rock mass slopes by producing cracks in the
discontinuities and weakening the strength of the rock mass (Akgün
et al., 2014; Yertutanol et al., 2020). Tunnel excavation directly
decreases the supporting force of slopes and changes the stress
distribution of slopes, which eventually leads to slope instability
(Koçkar and Akgün, 2003a, 2003b). Therefore, in view of the
discontinuity of rock slope structures, the stability of rock slopes in
the tunnel entrance and exit portals is complex as well; in particular,
the stability of layered slopes is still an important research topic.
Field monitoring, numerical simulation, and laboratory model
testing have been the main methods in researching the stability of
rock mass slopes (Xu et al., 2016; Song et al., 2017). The finite-
element method (FEM) has been one of the common numerical
methods for investigating the stability of slopes (Yong et al.,
2018; Song et al., 2020a). Many scholars have investigated the
stability of multiple types of slopes by using the FEM, such as
homogeneous slopes (Li et al., 2019), slopes with discontinuous
joints (Song et al., 2020b), bedded slopes (Liu et al., 2020), and
slopes containing discontinuities (Song et al., 2020a). In addition,
the use of the field monitoring method was generally considered
the easiest method to investigate the stability of landslides,
according to the analysis of the cumulative displacement, stress
and strain (Song et al., 2018a). Landslide field monitoring is an
effective method for studying slope deformation and provides a
reliable basis for the early warning and prevention of landslides
Fig. 1. The Geographical Position of the Tunnel Engineering Application
(Macciotta et al., 2015). However, field monitoring is characterized
by many interference factors, such as weather, artificial, and field
conditions. The numerical method also simplifies the boundary
conditions and geological structure of the slope, which may lead
to the unreliability of the calculation results and requires further
verification from field monitoring. Therefore, the combination of
numerical methods and on-site monitoring, giving full play to
their advantages, can provide a reliable basis for the study of
rock slope stability and landslide prevention.
In this work, taking a bedded rock mass slope at the tunnel
entrance and exit portals as an example, the influence of excavation
on the deformation of the bedded slope is investigated by using FEM
and field monitoring methods. Two finite-element models after
tunnel excavation are established, including Model 1 (the slope
without support) and Model 2 (the slope with support). The influence
of the support structure on the stability of the slope is compared. The
influence of discontinuities on the deformation characteristics of the
surrounding rock and the support structure of the tunnel is analysed.
Moreover, the stability of the slope in the process of tunnel
excavation are further analysed by using the field monitoring method,
which further verifies and supplements the numerical results.
2. Engineering Background
The geographical position of the tunnel engineering application
is shown in Fig. 1. The topography of the slope after tunnel
excavation is shown in Fig. 2(a). Three discontinuities are
distributed in the bedded slope. The main lithology of the tunnel
slope is K-feldspar granite (Pt3N). The distribution of weathered
granite in the slope is shown in Fig. 2(b). The surrounding rock
of the tunnel level for V is mainly supported by anchor net
 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 3

Fig. 2. Topography and Geological Conditions of the Slope: (a) The Topography of the Slope after Tunnel Excavation, (b) Slope Lithology

shotcrete and supplemented by the steel arch as the main support

measure in the early stage. The tunnel section is a semi-luminous
structure. The full-section excavation method is adopted after
comprehensive consideration. According to the geological
conditions of the tunnel, the construction principle of “short
footage, weak blasting” is selected. The construction plan of the
tunnel excavation section is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The physical
and mechanical parameters of the rock mass slope are obtained
based on field and laboratory tests, including triaxial tests, direct
shear tests and uniaxial compressive tests (Table 1).

3. Numerical Investigation on the Slope Stability

during Tunnel Excavation

3.1 Finite-Element Simulation

The stress redistribution can be simulated by using the method of
Fig. 3. Construction Plan of the Tunnel Excavation Section automatic stress release and the method of inverted stress release

Fig. 4. Tunnel Construction Process: (a) Tunnel Excavation, (b) Primary Lining, (c) Inverted Arch, (d) Secondary Lining

Table 1. The Physical Mechanical Parameters of the Slope

Modulus of elasticity Density Cohesive forces Internal friction angle
Rock mass Poisson's ratio
(GPa) (kg/m3) (Mpa) (º)
K-feldspar granite 1.0 0.25 2,300 0.15 30
Discontinuity I 0.005 0.42 2,300 0.025 10
Discontinuity II 0.01 0.42 2,300 0.049 13
Discontinuity III 0.02 0.42 2,300 0.09 20
Pipe shed structure 20 0.15 1,800 / /
Reinforced concrete 20 0.20 2,650 / /
4 D. Song et al.

(Yang et al., 2017). From the theory of automatic stress release, it

is evident that tunnel excavation will lead to an imbalance in the
stress distribution in the surrounding rock of the excavation. To
obtain a new stress balance, the surrounding rock will produce
new deformation, which will eventually lead to stress redistribution
to obtain the stress field and displacement field of the surrounding
rock of the excavation. From the perspective of stress redistribution
in the surrounding rock during tunnel excavation, this theory is
more in line with reality, which can reflect the unloading mechanism
of the surrounding rock and realize continuous excavation analyses.
To truly simulate the actual working condition, if the deformation
of the rock mass is regarded as a linear elastic or elastic-plastic
problem, the effect of tunnel caving and support is usually
simulated by the gradual release of stress when the model is built
for the analysis of the tunnel stress. The simulation of the tunnel
construction process can be continuously carried out by using the
virtual support gradual release method, where the analysis
process becomes easier to realize, and this treatment is more
consistent with the realization of the working conditions compared
to that of other methods. The FEM is used to simulate the opening
and control construction process of a tunnel by using the above
method. Based on the automatic stress release method, the virtual
support gradual release method is adopted to simulate the
unloading process of the surrounding rock. To further fit the
actual working condition, the following assumptions are made:
linear elasticity is adopted for the model calculation, and the rock
mass deformation is within the elastic range; the deformation of
the rock mass is isotropic, and the excavation process of the
surrounding rock is a plane strain problem; the supporting structure
only considers these types of steel arches, pipe sheds and
shotcrete; and the surrounding rock is simulated with Drucker-
Prager material, regardless of volume expansion.
In the process of model construction, the surface, rock boundary,
tunnel size, and calculation parameters are established in strict
accordance with the topographic map, measurement data, and
tunnel construction drawing of the tunnel site. Considering the
sensitivity of the boundary constraints to the calculated results,
the boundary of the model is larger than that of the tunnel region.
Fig. 5. Two-Dimensional Model of the Bedded Slope after Tunnel
Excavation
In the calculation process, the surrounding rock of the slope and
the tunnel chamber are considered as a whole, and the boundary
of the model is much larger than the deformation range caused
by the tunnel excavation. In the cross section of the tunnel, the
length of the horizontal direction is greater than twice the span,
which is 124 m. The vertical distance to the slope surface is 30
metres. Two models are established in the numerical calculation
(Fig. 5): Model 1 (with support) and Model 2 (without support).
The 6-node cell is used for grid division, with 5,986 nodes and
2,914 cells. The model considers complete weathering, strong
weathering, and weak weathering granite. The pipe shed adopts
the LINK1 unit, and the remaining materials adopt a solid
PLAN2 unit. The Drucker-Prager constitutive model is used for
the slope and tunnel rock mass, and the elastic model is assumed
for shotcrete. The construction sequence is as follows: natural
slope shape, surrounding rock excavation, slope, and initial
tunnel support. The parameters of the surrounding rock are
shown in Table 1.
3.2 Deformation and Mechanical Characteristics of the
Slope
The deformation characteristics of the slope without support
during tunnel excavation are shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Figs. 6(a)

Fig. 6. Displacement Nephogram of the Slope without Support: (a) Horizontal Displacement, (b) Vertical Displacement, (c) Displacement Vector
(unit: m)

Fig. 7. Stress and Strain of the Slope without Support: (a) Vertical Stress (unit: Pa), (b) Shear Stress (unit: Pa), (c) Shear Strain
and 6(b) show that the maximum horizontal and vertical
displacements are 18.685 and 51.658 mm, respectively. Fig. 6(c)
shows that the displacement vector of the rock mass outside the
second discontinuity is larger. The main deformation area is
concentrated in the area outside the second discontinuity, suggesting
that the second discontinuity is the potential slip surface.
Moreover, Fig. 6 shows that the maximum displacement and
displacement vector are located above the first discontinuity,
indicating that this area has the weakest stability and is the most
prone to instability. Fig. 6 also shows that the displacement
vector and horizontal and vertical cumulative displacement of
the surrounding rock are large, which indicates that the tunnel
excavation has a great influence on the deformation of the
surrounding rock. In addition, the stress and strain nephogram of
the slope is shown in Fig. 7. Compared with the horizontal stress
of the slope under gravity, the vertical stress is much larger.
Fig. 7(a) shows that the vertical stress of the slope under gravity
is mainly concentrated on the slope above the second
discontinuity, which indicates that the physical and mechanical
properties of this area are the most unstable. After excavation,
the tensile stress is concentrated on the slope surface, and the
compressive stress increases with increasing rock mass depth.
Fig. 7(b) shows that there is a shear stress concentration area at
Fig. 8. Displacement Nephogram of the Slope under the Support: (a) Horizontal Displacement, (b) Vertical Displacement, (c) Displacement
Vector (unit: m)
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 5
the position of the arch, and the second discontinuity also has a
concentrated distribution of shear stress. Fig. 7(c) shows that the
shear strain is distributed along the control discontinuity; in
particular, the largest shear strain is in the first discontinuity.
Therefore, the displacement, stress and strain of the slope above
the second discontinuity are larger, which indicates that the
second discontinuity plays a controlling role in the slope
deformation after tunnel excavation. In particular, the largest
displacement and strain mainly occur in the first discontinuity,
which indicates that the rock mass above the first discontinuity
will first slide along the discontinuity. The primary slip mass is
the first discontinuity, and the main slip surface is the second
discontinuity.
In addition, the deformation characteristics of the slope under
supporting conditions are shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Compared
with Figs. 6 and 7, the displacements of the excavation slope are
basically the same with and without the support after the excavation
of the tunnel. Because the steel arch frame spray anchor is used
for the initial support of the tunnel, the later displacement of the
tunnel is controlled. Beyond the support, the displacement of the
upper surrounding rock is basically unchanged under the supporting
conditions. The displacement and stress-strain distribution of the
surrounding rock under the supporting conditions are similar to
6 D. Song et al.
Fig. 9. Stress and Strain of the Slope under the Support: (a) Vertical Stress (unit: Pa), (b) Shear Stress (unit: Pa), (c) Shear Strain
Fig. 10. Stress Cloud Map of the Tunnel Lining Structure: (a) Horizontal Stress, (b) Vertical Stress, (c) Shear Stress, (d) First Principal Stress, (e) Third
Principal Stress (unit: Pa)
those under no supporting conditions. Beyond the support, the
displacement of the slope above the second control discontinuity
is large, and the displacement below the discontinuity is very
small. That is, the second control discontinuity controls the
deformation of the slope after excavation. The displacement of
the slope above the first discontinuity is the largest, which
indicates that the main deformation of the rock mass occurs
above the first discontinuity. In addition, a comparison of Figs. 7
and 9 shows that the vertical stress, shear stress and shear strain
of the surrounding rock before and after the support is applied
decrease to a certain degree. Compared with the slope without
support (Figs. 7 and 9), the shear strain values of the three
discontinuities under the support decrease to a certain degree; in
particular, the shear strain of the second and third discontinuities
are basically the same as that of the rock mass. This phenomenon
indicates that the stress and strain of the slope decrease under the
support. This is because the supporting structure has a supporting
effect on the surrounding rock of the tunnel, which reduces the
sliding force of the potential sliding body. In particular, the shear
strain distributions of the second and third discontinuities are
effectively reduced by the supporting structure, but that of the
first discontinuity is slightly reduced. Moreover, the stress
distribution of the support structure (Fig. 10) shows that the
stress at the contact position of the first discontinuity is greater
than that at the other discontinuities, which indicates that the
support structure is greatly affected by the first discontinuity. The
support structure has less influence on the deformation of the
first discontinuity but effectively reduces the stress of the second
and third discontinuities. Therefore, the supporting structure can
effectively reduce the overall deformation of the slope, but it has
little impact on the primary sliding body above the first
discontinuity.
3.3 Mechanical Characteristics of the Supporting
Structure
To study the mechanical characteristics of the support structure
during tunnel excavation, the stress distribution is shown in
Fig. 10. The horizontal stress exhibits a compressive stress
phenomenon at the upper arch waist of the support (near the first
discontinuity) (Fig. 10(a)); that is, the compressive stress
concentration occurs near the rock mass of the support. The
tensile stress concentration appears on the inner side of the same
part of the support. Fig. 10(b) shows that vertical stress
concentration phenomena occur at the waist and foot of the arch
of the supporting structure. In the arch waist, the vertical stresses
near the first discontinuity are shown as lateral compression and
internal tension, while the opposite are found at the arch foot. In
addition, Fig. 10(c) shows that shear stress concentration occurs
 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 7

on the outside of the support structure near the first discontinuity,

while shear stress concentration occurs on the inner side. The
first principal stress distribution shows that tensile stress
concentration occurs near the first discontinuity (Fig. 10(d)). The
third principal stress shows that compressive stress concentration
occurs on the inner side of the support structure near the first
discontinuity (Fig. 10(e)). Therefore, the first discontinuity has a
significant impact on the mechanical characteristics of the
support structure, and the stress concentration phenomenon
occurs near the first discontinuity, which is the most prone to
damage.

4. Analysis of the Slope Stability Using

Displacement Monitoring

4.1 Test Method and Equipment

In the process of tunnel excavation, the multipoint displacement
meter is used as the main monitoring method to monitor the
layered slope. This is mainly because the monitoring results of
the multipoint displacement meter are reliable, the observation
and data are easy to arrange, and automatic observation can be
realized in the later period. A multipoint displacement meter is
applied to analyze the deep displacement of the slope (Fig. 11(a)).
Six monitoring points of the slope are chosen (Fig. 11(a)),
including MLP-1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. The four measuring depths of the
multipoint displacement meter are approximately 4, 10, 18 and
30 m. Moreover, an electronic total station was applied to obtain
the settlement displacement of the slope surface (Fig. 11(b)),
including four monitoring points (A, B, C and D). Six groups of
pipe sheds are used as reinforcement before the excavation of the
slope, as shown in Fig. 11(b).
The installation steps of the grouting anchor head type
displacement meter are as follows: 1) The grouting pipe, anchor
head and measuring rod shall be arranged side by side and bound
together. 2) The probe assembly, sensor and measuring rod are
Fig. 11. Deformation Monitoring Instrument Layout of the Slope: (a) Floor
Plan, (b) Excavation Slope Profile
connected, and the initial reading is adjusted. 3) The assembled
instrument is slowly put into the drilling hole and the cable is led
out. 4) The gap between the probe assembly at the hole opening
and the drilling hole is backfilled with quick setting cement to
seal the hole and make it as dense as possible. 5) The grouting
pipe is connected to the the grouting pump and the concentrated
slurry is prepared according to the water cement ratio of
approximately 0.5. 6) The orifice coordinates shall be measured
by professional surveyors. The initial readings shall be taken
within 24 hours after grouting. The installation diagram of the
grouting anchor head displacement meter is shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 12. Installation Diagram of the Multipoint Displacement Meter

8 D. Song et al.

Fig. 13. Displacement Curve of the Monitoring Points during Tunnel Excavation: (a) MLP-3, (b) MLP-5

4.2 Analysis of the Field Monitoring Results

The displacement of the points is shown in Fig. 13. The
maximum cumulative displacement of the four measuring points
(MLP-1, 2, 4 and 6) is less than 4.0 mm, which is not listed in
Fig. 13. In Fig. 13, the cumulative displacement increases with
time, and the sudden increase in the displacement is caused by
the blasting of the tunnel excavation. Fig. 13 shows that the
cumulative displacement of MLP-3 and MLP-5 on the slope
surface (hole depth 0 m) is approximately 75.0 mm and 43.0
mm, respectively, while the cumulative displacement of the other
points is less than 7.0 mm. This is because MLP-3 and MLP-5 Fig. 14. Surface Subsidence Displacement during Tunnel Excavation
are located in the slope body above the first discontinuity, while
the other points are located in the area between the first and
second discontinuities. The deformation of the slope body below the numerical results.
the first discontinuity is small and that above the first discontinuity is In addition, the cumulative displacements of the field and
much greater, which indicates that the first discontinuity has a numerical tests with increasing hole depth are shown in Fig. 15(a).
controlling effect on the slope deformation. After tunnel Taking two points as examples, the cumulative displacements of
excavation, the stability of the slope above the first discontinuity MLP-3 and MLP-5 decrease rapidly with hole depth within the
are the most unstable, and the first discontinuity is a potential range of 0-10 m, and their displacement is basically zero when
primary sliding plane. In addition,Compared with points C and the hole depth is greater than 10 m. This phenomenon indicates
D, Fig. 14 shows that the surface settlement displacements of that the hole depth has a substantial influence on the cumulative
points A and B are greater. The first discontinuity has a displacement of the measuring point, that is, the tunnel excavation
substantial influence on the stability of the slope, which is similar mainly has an influence on the deformation of the slope body
to the analysis of the multipoint displacement meter (Fig. 13). within a distance of 10 m from the slope surface, especially for
Given the above analysis, the stability of the slope using the the area within 4 m. Moreover, the relationship between the
monitoring method after tunnel excavation are consistent with strain of the field monitoring points and the hole depth during

Fig. 15. Effect of the Hole Depth on the Cumulative Displacement and Strain: (a) Cumulative Displacement of the Field and Numerical Test,
(b) Strain of the Field Test

tunnel excavation is shown in Fig. 15(b). The figure shows that
the strain of the measuring point increases with hole depth. When
the hole depth is greater than 10 m, the strain is approximately 0. It
can be seen that tunnel excavation has a significant effect on the
stability of the slope within a certain depth range from the slope
surface. According to the locations of MLP-3 and MLP-5 (Fig. 11),
the area within 10 m of the slope surface is the slope body above
the second discontinuity, and the area within 4 m of the slope
surface is the slope body above the first discontinuity. The main
deformation of the slope after tunnel excavation is above the first
discontinuity, and the deformation of the rock surrounding the
tunnel is mainly concentrated in the area above the arch waist,
especially near the arch roof.
5. Conclusions
The deformation characteristics of the slope were investigated by
using the FEM and field monitoring method. The following
conclusions can be drawn.
1. The analyses of the numerical results show that, after tunnel
excavation, under the conditions of support or without
support, tunnel excavation has a significant effect on the
deformation of the rock surrounding the tunnel. The
discontinuities have a substantial effect on the deformation
characteristics of the bedded rock slope. The deformation
of the slope is mainly concentrated in the area above the
second discontinuity; in particular, the deformation of the
area above the first discontinuity is the largest and most
unstable. The first discontinuity is the potential slide surface of
the primary slip mass, and the second discontinuity is the
potential slide surface of the potential main slip mass.
2. The numerical results show that the supporting structure
influences the deformation of the rock mass and slope
surrounding the tunnel. The supporting structure reduces
the cumulative displacement, stress and strain of the slope
and tunnel. In particular, compared with the first discontinuity,
the support structure has a great impact on the shear strain
of the second and third discontinuities, resulting in a substantial
decrease in the shear strain of the two discontinuities.
According to the stress of the tunnel support structure, the
first discontinuity has a controlling effect on the mechanical
characteristics of the tunnel support structure, and the stress
concentration phenomenon appears in the support structure
near the first discontinuity.
3. In combination with numerical results, the field tests show
that the distance from the slope surface has an impact on
the stability of the slope after tunnel excavation. The
deformation characteristics of the surrounding rock after
excavation are mainly controlled by discontinuities. The
displacement and stress of the slope above the second
discontinuity are large, and the second discontinuity controls
the deformation of the slope after excavation. Tunnel
excavation mainly has a substantial effect on the deformation
of the slope body within a distance of 10 m from the slope
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 9
surface (above the second discontinuity), especially for the
deformation within the 4 m distance (above the first
discontinuity). The displacement and strain of the slope body
decrease with increasing depth within 10 m and tend to be
zero when the hole depth is more than 10 m.
Acknowledgments
This work is financially supported by the National Postdoctoral
Program for Innovative Talent of China (BX20200191), the
National Key Research and Development Plan (Grant No.
2018YFC1504801), the National Natural Science Foundation of
China (Grant No.51479094, 41772246), and the Shuimu Tsinghua
Scholar Program (2019SM058).
ORCID
Not Applicable
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