Exploring the Mitigation Measures of Overhanging Antidip Slope by Centrifuge Tests and DEM Modeling

In this study, the mitigation measures for an overhanging anti-dip slope model were investigated through centrifuge tests and discrete element modeling. The overhanging anti-dip slope model was made by stacking 16 rectangular rock layers (6 cm by 20 cm) at an angle of 75 degrees to the ground surface, under a centrifugal gravity field of 20g. The simplified anti-dip slope was mitigated by applying two measures: prestressed rock anchor and fully grouted rock dowel. Based on the analysis results in centrifuge tests and numerical modeling, it can be observed that when using prestressed rock anchors to mitigate the anti-dip slope, the prestress given to the rock mass by the rock anchor and the position/angle of the rock anchor are the important factors. On the other hand, due to the grouting factor in the rock dowel, the rock dowel’s length and the application’s height are crucial. Finally, the rock anchor-mitigated slope exhibits flexural toppling, while the fully-grouted rock dowel expresses block toppling behavior.