Abstract
The stability of high rock slopes has become a key engineering geological problem in the construction of important projects in mountainous areas. The original slope stability probability classification (SSPC) system, presented by Hack, has made obvious progress and been widely used in rock slope stability analysis. However, the selection and determination of some evaluation indexes in the original SSPC method are usually subjective, such as intact rock strength and weathering degree. In this study, the SSPC method based on geological data obtained in the prospecting tunnels was presented and applied. According to the field survey and exploration of the prospecting tunnels, the weathering degree of the slope rock mass was evaluated. The empirical equation for the maximum stable height of the slope was applied to the slope stability evaluation in the presented SSPC method. Then, the slope stability probability of numerous cutting slopes in the sandstone unit was evaluated using the presented system. Results of the Geostudio software based on the limited equilibrium analysis of the investigated slopes were compared with the results obtained by the SSPC method. The results indicate that the SSPC method is a useful tool for the stability prediction of high and steep rock slopes.
Highlights
Introduction e geomorphology in southwestChina changes rapidly over short distances; in this region, large-scale projects such as hydropower stations were constructed, with complex geological conditions [1,2,3]
IRS is originally estimated using hammer blows and figure pressure; in this study, laboratory tests were performed, and the results show that intact rock strength of the fresh sandstone ranges from 136 MPa to 274 MPa, with an average value of 206 MPa
Parameters needed in the calculation of stability of slope rock mass such as SIRS, SSPA, and SCD are determined as equation (12), in which the Reference rock mass (RRM) values are corrected by the the weathering degree (SWE) and method of excavation (SME) for existing natural/excavated slopes
Summary
Rock mass shear strength calculation is an important step in SSPC system; when calculation is carried out, parameters such as the intact rock strength (IRS), discontinuity spacing (SPA), roughness, infill, and karst are considered together. Parameters needed in the calculation of stability of slope rock mass such as SIRS, SSPA, and SCD are determined as equation (12), in which the RRM values are corrected by the the weathering degree (SWE) and method of excavation (SME) for existing natural/excavated slopes. We assessed the Hmax using the modified formulation Hmax-Huang. e necessary parameters and probability calculations in the study area are summarized in
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