GRAVITATIONAL STRESSES IN LONG SYMMETRICAL RIDGES AND VALLEYS IN ANISOTROPIC ROCK

The effect of topography and rock mass anisotropy on gravitational stresses in long isolated symmetric ridges and valleys is modeled using an analytical method proposed earlier by the first two authors. The rock mass deforms under a condition plane strain. A parametric study is presented on the effect of (1) topography, (2) orientation o anisotropy and (3) degree of anisotropy on the magnitude and distribution of gravitational stresses in transvervely isotropic rock masses planes of anisotropy striking parallel to the ridge or valley axis. It is found that compressive stresses develop near ridge crests and that tensile stresses develop in valley bottoms and valley walls. The magnitude of tie gravitational stresses is of the order of the characteristic stress rhog Absolute value of b where rho is the rock density, g is the gravitational acceleration and Absolute value of b is the height of the ridge or depth of the valley.