What does this research mean for the field?

Rainfall-induced elevated pore pressure triggers a self-accelerating positive feedback loop of seepage, fracture propagation, and rock weakening in steep, heterogeneous slopes, shifting degradation from surficial to whole-slope failure even in the absence of a continuous slip surface. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the coupling mechanism between rainfall-induced seepage and fracture damage and evaluate progressive failure in steep, fractured open-pit mine slopes.

August 30, 2026Journal of Measurements in EngineeringOpen Access

Rainfall-induced seepage damage coupling mechanism and stability evaluation of high and steep slopes in deep open-pit mines

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Authors

PWPeng Wang HJHaipeng Jia YZYuxia Zhao

Discussion

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Overview

Multiphysics investigation demonstrates a self-accelerating seepage-fracture feedback loop in fractured open-pit slopes, highlighting rainfall-driven shifts from surficial to deep slope failure.

Key Points

To investigate the coupling mechanism between rainfall-induced seepage and fracture damage and evaluate progressive failure in steep, fractured open-pit mine slopes.
Integrated multiphysics field monitoring, laboratory mechanical testing across multiple lithologies, and probabilistic parameter back-analysis with 80% confidence intervals.
Subjected rock specimens to 11 wetting-drying cycles to measure weathering sensitivity and unconfined compressive strength loss.
Identified a self-accelerating 'seepage → fracture → rock weakening' feedback loop where pore pressure drives fracture propagation and increases permeability without requiring an initial continuous slip surface.
Demonstrated that quartz-mica schist acts as the primary weathering-sensitive weak layer (saturated UCS = 9.78 MPa, 35% strength loss, SDI = 58.96%) and faults provide critical failure surfaces (c = 8.9 kPa).
Modeled a nonlinear hydraulic response causing preferential toe flow and downward pore pressure progression, driving a transition from surficial slope degradation to deep, full-slope failure.

Cite This Study

Wang et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f1396c1a8fb52e79e0cd https://doi.org/10.21595/jme.2026.25906

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August 30, 2026Journal of Measurements in EngineeringOpen Access

Rainfall-induced seepage damage coupling mechanism and stability evaluation of high and steep slopes in deep open-pit mines

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

PWPeng Wang HJHaipeng Jia YZYuxia Zhao

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Multiphysics investigation demonstrates a self-accelerating seepage-fracture feedback loop in fractured open-pit slopes, highlighting rainfall-driven shifts from surficial to deep slope failure.

Key Points

To investigate the coupling mechanism between rainfall-induced seepage and fracture damage and evaluate progressive failure in steep, fractured open-pit mine slopes.
Integrated multiphysics field monitoring, laboratory mechanical testing across multiple lithologies, and probabilistic parameter back-analysis with 80% confidence intervals.
Subjected rock specimens to 11 wetting-drying cycles to measure weathering sensitivity and unconfined compressive strength loss.
Identified a self-accelerating 'seepage → fracture → rock weakening' feedback loop where pore pressure drives fracture propagation and increases permeability without requiring an initial continuous slip surface.
Demonstrated that quartz-mica schist acts as the primary weathering-sensitive weak layer (saturated UCS = 9.78 MPa, 35% strength loss, SDI = 58.96%) and faults provide critical failure surfaces (c = 8.9 kPa).
Modeled a nonlinear hydraulic response causing preferential toe flow and downward pore pressure progression, driving a transition from surficial slope degradation to deep, full-slope failure.

Cite This Study

Wang et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f1396c1a8fb52e79e0cd https://doi.org/10.21595/jme.2026.25906

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark