A Combined Limit Equilibrium and Statistical Analysis of Wedges for Design of High Rock Slopes

by Douglas R. Piteau, D. R. Piteau & Associates Ltd, West Vancouver, BC, Canada,
Alan F. Stewart, D. R. Piteau & Associates Ltd, West Vancouver, BC, Canada,
Dennis C. Martin, D. R. Piteau & Associates Ltd, West Vancouver, BC, Canada,
Blair S. Trenholme, D. R. Piteau & Associates Ltd, West Vancouver, BC, Canada,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Rock Masses: Modeling of Underground Openings/Probability of Slope Failure/Fracture of Intact Rock

Abstract:

This paper describes a unique technique developed for the statistical analysis of wedge failures which control the design of high slopes in relatively hard jointed rock masses. Using this technique, kinematically possible wedges, formed by various combinations of structural discontinuities, are identified and assessed statistically. This is accomplished by quantifying the variation in orientation and intensity of individual discontinuity sets as they affect the frequency and orientation of kinematically possible wedge failures. The analysis technique incorporates a) geologic structural characteristics of the rock mass; b) kinematically possible wedge failures; and c) limit equilibrium analysis results, all of which are treated statistically.

Subject Headings: Failure analysis | Rock masses | Statistics | Rock mechanics | Limit equilibrium | Structural failures | Limit analysis

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