Numerical investigation of rock dynamic fragmentation during rockslides using a coupled 3D FEM-DEM method

Rockslides are one of the most common geological hazards in mountainous areas and can pose significant threats to the safety of human lives and infrastructures. Studying the dynamic fragmentation process, and fragment characteristics of rock blocks during rockslides is of great significance. In this study, the influences of the slope angle on the dynamic fragmentation process, damage and energy evolution, and the fragments’ flying velocity and flying angle were systematically investigated using a coupled 3D FEM-DEM method. An improved fragment search algorithm was first proposed to more effectively extract the information of the fragments after impacting. The input parameters in the numerical modeling were carefully calibrated based on the quasi-static uniaxial compression tests and the rock-impact tests. The complex fragmentation process of rock block sliding along an inclined slope was simulated. The results indicate that the fragmentation intensity gradually increases with increasing the slope angle, and the fragmentation intensity of the front region of the rock block is always higher than that of the rear region. Additionally, the slope angle can significantly affect the damage ratio, energy dissipation, and the ratio of tensile crack to shear crack during the rockslides. The number of the fragments having higher flying velocities and larger flying angles increases with increasing the slope angle, which contributes to a larger spreading distance and a wider deposition area.