Numerical Simulation of Failure of a Rock Slope with Tension Crack Under Blast Loading

Mechanical response of a tension crack (TC) in a rock slope due to blasting is critical in rock engineering. In the present work, a three-dimensional finite element model of the rock slope is simulated with Abaqus 2020 using Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) technique. Failure stresses owing to blasting are compared with and without TC in the rock slope. It is observed that resultant stress waves originating from a significant distance may trigger the failure of the rock slope along the TC. The effect of orientation and depth of the TC as well as distance of the TC from the detonation point is also investigated. Finally, damage due to blast loading is also discussed.