Mcr. Davies et al., The effect of rise in mean annual temperature on the stability of rock slopes containing ice-filled discontinuities, PERMAFR P P, 12(1), 2001, pp. 137-144
Direct shear box tests have revealed that the stiffness and strength of an
ice-filled joint are a function of both normal stress and temperature. Comp
arison of these data with the results of similar experiments conducted on u
nfrozen joints indicates that at low temperatures and normal stresses the s
trength of an ice-filled joint can be significantly higher than that of an
unfrozen joint. However, in the absence of sufficient closure pressure, the
strength of an ice-filled joint can be significantly less than that of an
unfrozen joint. This implies that if the stability of a slope is maintained
by ice-filled joints, its factor of safety will reduce with temperature ri
se. This hypothesis suggests that a jointed rock slope that is stable when
there is no ice in the joints and is also stable when ice in the joints is
at low temperatures will become unstable as the ice warms. Results from the
model tests have confirmed this hypothesis. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley
St Sons, Ltd.