A preliminary Disintegration evolution Model for Weak Rocks and Intermediate Geomaterials IGM Cutting Slopes

Nowadays, Geotechnical engineers are facing a great challenge to interpret the data retrieved from IGM slopes with advanced stages of disintegration. This challenge is even greater when they need to define design parameters to be used in modeling software based on limit equilibrium, finite element method or discrete method. The complexity increases when to simulate the future performance based on the present disintegration state of the material is necessary. Thus, in order to help designers in the decision-making process relating to disintegration evolution, a preliminary general model that depicts the disintegration mechanism and the life cycle in weak rocks cutting slopes was stated. In the first instance, the model was stated as a descriptive observational model that could depict the Cycle Life of cutting slopes on weak rocks. Second, a detailed analysis of physical evolution phenomenon on the field was contrasted with the evolution at the laboratory level, in order to identify the most significant properties and variables related to disintegration evolution. Afterward, this descriptive model was combined with experimental data a general model was proposed. This stated model was weighed against experimental data and with the results of some bulk sample DEM simulations. Subsequently, based on the observed results, a mathematical function was chosen to look for a better fit with the observed disintegration evolution. The stated model was contrasted using the experimental data retrieved from the application of computer vision analysis for experimental setups.