journal article·2025-08-28Open access

Stability Evaluation of Rock Slope–Anchoring Systems Based on Catastrophe Theory

Peng Xia, Bowen Zeng, Jie Liu, Yiheng Pan, Xiaofeng Ye

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 17

Abstract

With the rapid development of China’s economy, the number and scale of infrastructure projects in energy, water conservancy, and transportation have expanded significantly. Anchoring technology has been widely applied, resulting in the formation of numerous rock slope–anchoring systems. This study proposes a novel method for evaluating the stability of rock slope–anchoring systems by introducing catastrophe theory into the stability assessment framework. Based on the characteristics of the rock slope–anchoring system and its stability-influencing factors, a hierarchical analytic structure for catastrophe-level evaluation is constructed, and relevant indicator data are collected. Catastrophe models are selected according to the identified state and control variables, and catastrophe levels are computed to establish a sample dataset. The relationship between catastrophe levels and the stability coefficients of rock slope–anchoring systems is verified to define stability grade intervals. Stability evaluation is then performed by calculating the catastrophe level of each system. The results indicate that: (1) the proposed method effectively considers the influence of multiple factors on the stability of rock slope–anchoring systems, ensuring high accuracy in the evaluation. (2) The method allows for the automatic quantification of the relative importance of indicators within the same hierarchy, reducing subjectivity caused by manual weighting. (3) By standardizing state variables and computing catastrophe levels, the method couples qualitative descriptions with mechanical parameters, enhancing the objectivity of the assessment. (4) The stability evaluation method for rock slope–anchorage systems based on mathematical catastrophe theory determines system stability through catastrophe-order analysis, featuring a concise process and clear results. It enables rapid evaluation of the stability of similar rock slope–anchorage systems and offers high efficiency for cluster assessments.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Geotechnical Engineering and Analysis · Landslides and related hazards · Rock Mechanics and Modeling

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

College of Harbour and Coastal Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China

Xinjiang Transportation Science Research Institute Co., Ltd., Urumqi 831399, China

Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Highway Engineering Technology in Arid Desert Areas, Urumqi 831399, China

Key Laboratory of Transport Industry of Highway Engineering Technology in Arid Desert Areas, Urumqi 831401, China

Geophysical and Chemical Prospecting Center, Geological Bureau of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi 831000, China

Funding

The National Natural Science Foundation of China · Key Research and Development Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region · Fujian Provincial Education Department Foundation · Xiamen Science and Technology Subsidy Project · Research Start-up Fundation of Jimei University

References (51)

Show source-provided references
1. Experimental study on influence of host rock strength on shear performance of Micro-NPR steel bolted rock joints10.1016/j.ijrmms.2022.105236 ↗
2. Xia, P., Zeng, B., and Pan, Y. (2025). Stability Evaluation Method for Rock Slope-Anchorage Systems Based on Genetic Algorithms and Discrete Element Analysis. Appl. Sci., 15.10.3390/app15095057 ↗
3. Stability Assessment of Bolt-Supported Road Cutting Dip Slopes Using Discrete-Element and Limit-Analysis Methods10.1061/IJGNAI.GMENG-9027 ↗
4. Liu, Y., Lai, J., and Xu, J. (2024). Study on slope monitoring and stability based on bolt–cable combined support. Buildings, 14.10.3390/buildings14040886 ↗
5. Smart and fast reinforcement design for anti-dip bedding rock slopes10.1016/j.jrmge.2023.04.015 ↗
6. An analytical model for shear behaviour of bolted rock joints10.1016/j.ijrmms.2019.04.005 ↗
7. Operation condition of anchoring system in large-scale water conservancy and hydropower projects
8. Research status and development trend of geotechnical anchorage technology in hydropower projects
9. Stability analysis of slopes reinforced with anchor cables and optimal design of anchor cable parameters10.1080/19648189.2019.1631216 ↗
10. Research on influence of anchor cable failure on slope dynamic response10.1016/j.soildyn.2022.107435 ↗
11. Study on the influence of anchorage angle on the anchorage effect of soft-hard interbedded toppling deformed rock mass10.1007/s12205-020-2386-y ↗
12. Model test of the stability degradation of a prestressed anchored rock slope system in a corrosive environment10.1007/s11629-019-5835-7 ↗
13. Failure evolution process of pile-anchor reinforced rock slope based on centrifuge shaking table tests10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106920 ↗
14. Physical modeling test on deformation and failure of rock slope with new support system10.1155/2020/8825220 ↗
15. Numerical Simulation Analysis of NPR Anchorage Monitoring of Bedding Rock Landslide in Open-Pit Mine10.1155/2020/8241509 ↗
16. Stability analysis and design of stabilization measures for Chenab railway bridge rock slopes10.1007/s10064-019-01602-2 ↗
17. Stability monitoring and analysis of high and steep slope of a hydropower station10.1155/2020/8840269 ↗
18. Performance evaluation of GFRP rock bolt sensor for rock slope monitoring by double shear test10.1155/2020/8870698 ↗
19. Analysis of Excavation-Induced Effect of a Rock Slope Using 2-Dimensional Back Analysis Method: A Case Study for Clay-Bearing Interbedded Rock Slope10.1007/s10706-024-02893-3 ↗
20. Displacement Measurements and Numerical Analysis of Long-Term Rock Slope Deformation at Higashi-Shikagoe Limestone Quarry, Japan
21. 3-D Numerical Analysis of Mining-Induced Deformation of Clay-Bearing Rock Slope in a Quarry10.1007/s00603-025-04455-2 ↗
22. Stability analysis of complex rock slopes reinforced with prestressed anchor cables and anti-shear cavities10.1007/s10064-017-1171-8 ↗
23. Limit analysis under seismic conditions of a slope reinforced with prestressed anchor cables10.1016/j.compgeo.2018.12.027 ↗
24. Pseudo-dynamic analysis of reinforced slope with anchor cables10.1016/j.soildyn.2022.107514 ↗
25. Jia, J., Gao, X., Bao, X., Xiang, X., Zhang, L., and Tu, B. (2024). Dynamic stability analysis method of anchored rocky slope considering seismic deterioration effect. Sci. Rep., 14.10.1038/s41598-024-57413-3 ↗
26. Failure assessment of reinforced rock slopes subjected to bolt corrosion considering correlated multiple failure modes10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104029 ↗
27. Xia, P., and Ying, C. (2021). Research on the stability evaluation method of anchored slopes based on group decision making and matter element analysis. Sci. Rep., 11.10.1038/s41598-021-96157-2 ↗
28. Chiu, J.K.Y., Li, C.C., Mengshoel, O.J., and Kveldsvik, V. (2025). Slope rockbolting using key block theory: Force transfer and artificial intelligence-assisted multi-objective optimisation. J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng., in press.
29. System reliability analysis of a slope stabilized with anchor cables and piles under seismic loading10.1007/s11440-023-01812-9 ↗
30. Slope stability analysis using the limit equilibrium method and two finite element methods10.1016/j.compgeo.2014.10.008 ↗
31. Probabilistic slope stability analysis by finite elements10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2004)130:5(507) ↗
32. The role of discontinuities in rock slope stability: Insights from a combined finite-discrete element simulation10.1016/j.compgeo.2022.104788 ↗
33. Investigation of the role of crown crack in cohesive soil slope and its effect on slope stability based on the extended finite element method10.1007/s11069-021-04947-8 ↗
34. A review of techniques, advances and outstanding issues in numerical modelling for rock mechanics and rock engineering10.1016/S1365-1609(03)00013-3 ↗
35. Advances in fibre-optic-based slope reinforcement monitoring: A review10.1016/j.jrmge.2024.03.022 ↗
36. Mechanical evolution of constant resistance and large deformation anchor cables and their application in landslide monitoring10.1007/s10064-018-01446-2 ↗
37. The probability and sensitivity analysis of slope stability under seepage based on reliability theory10.1007/s10706-020-01226-4 ↗
38. Reliability-based stability analysis of large rock slopes with different failure mechanisms using response surface methodology10.1007/s12665-022-10624-1 ↗
39. Investigation of cusp catastrophe model of rock slope instability with general constitutive equations10.1007/s10064-020-01946-0 ↗
40. Catastrophe instability analysis of rock slopes with locked segments in open-pit mine due to freeze–thaw weathering10.1007/s10064-022-02635-w ↗
41. Energy catastrophe of jointed rock slope considering spatiotemporal variability of strength10.1007/s10706-020-01645-3 ↗
42. New energy criterion for rock slope excavation-induced failure based on catastrophe theory: Methodology and applications10.1007/s10064-024-03617-w ↗
43. Fractional catastrophe model considering the rheological properties of slope faults10.2113/2022/1125720 ↗
44. Application of catastrophe theory in surrounding rock stability10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.712-715.974 ↗
45. Hua, H.U., Liang, C.A.I., and Xiang-Hua, L.I. (2014, January 26–28). Experimental Analysis on the Accelerating Rheological Failure Process of Soft Soil Based on the Catastrophe Theory. Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference on Mechanics and Civil Engineering (ICMCE-14), Asheville, NC, USA.10.2991/icmce-14.2014.111 ↗
46. Catastrophes, fractals and chaos in geoengineering and water treatment systems
47. Integrated early warning and reinforcement support system for soft rock tunnels: A novel approach utilizing catastrophe theory and energy transfer laws10.1016/j.tust.2024.105869 ↗
48. Stability analysis of surrounding rock in tunnel crossing water-rich fault based on catastrophe theory10.1007/s10706-019-01032-7 ↗
49. Disaster-causing mechanism of spalling rock burst based on folding catastrophe model in coal mine10.1007/s00603-025-04497-6 ↗
50. Thom, R. (1972). Stabilité Structurelle et Morphogénèse, W. A. Benjamin.
51. (2020). Technical Specification for Prestressed Anchoring in Hydraulic Engineering (Standard No. SL/T 212-2020). (In Chinese).