The stability analysis of weak structural planes based on multi-frequency ultrasonic imaging characteristics during rock and soil physical model tests

The morphological characteristics and deformation failure modes of weak structural planes for rock and soil under certain loading conditions are significant to the instability of geotechnical engineering slope. The stability analysis of the internal weak structural planes and their feature descriptions often lack effective field testing means. Therefore, a novel approach for the stability analysis of inner weak structural planes is proposed using the multi-frequency ultrasonic imaging technique and imaging characteristics during some rock and soil physical model tests. This approach can obtain the ultrasonic image (profile) of inner weak structural planes at different angles and frequencies under the corresponding conditions using multiple frequency ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic image’s grey gradient and reflection attenuation features are statistically analyzed, including the qualitative and quantitative analysis of imaging features. It can be used to realize the visual analysis and stability determination of the weak structural planes. This approach can realize the real-time imaging detection and stability monitoring of weak structural planes during the physical model test. It solves the problems that the imaging detection of in-suit weak structural planes cannot be achieved and the precise analysis of local inner structural planes. Thus, it can provide a novel approach to deep research of instability mechanisms induced by weak structural planes during geotechnical engineering and geological investigation.