Abstract
Kinematic analysis is a widely used method to assess stability condition in jointed rock slopes and predict the modes of block detachments. However, consideration of kinematic failures as crisp values (e.g., 0 for failure otherwise 1) in the conventional analysis is a limit to the susceptibility quantification. This paper has introduced novel methods based on the adjustment factors of slope mass rating (SMR) to quantify kinematic susceptibility of planar, wedge, and topple failure modes in terms of percentage/indices. Manual calculation of SMR is tedious and time-consuming, particularly when a large number of joints are involved. Hence, a method has been devised for the quantitative determination of both kinematic susceptibility and SMR with the help of a computer application. A computer application named EasySMR has been developed to automate and ease the calculation process. The application can incorporate a large number of joint data to provide convenient numeral, graphical and pie-chart interpretation of the kinematic susceptibility and SMR results. The algorithm has been validated with the results of 35 rock slopes from the Himalayan region, India. A few case studies have been presented to demonstrate the functionality of the program and enhanced capabilities which enables rigorous and accurate analysis of rock slope stability.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Code availability
Name of code: EasySMR. Developer and contact address: Jagadish Kundu, Department of Applied Geology, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad, Dhanbad Jharkhand – 826004, India. Mobile number: (+91) 9709658454, and e-mail: jagadishkundu92@gmail.com. Year first available: 2020. Hardware required: Dual-core processor, memory 500 MB. The software required: Operating system Windows 7 or higher. Program language: C#. Program size:139 Mb. Link to the codes: https://github.com/jagadishkundu/EasySMR.git ; Link to the application: https://jkundu.com/easysmr.
References
Admassu Y, Shakoor A (2013) DIPANALYST: a computer program for quantitative kinematic analysis of rock slope failures. Comput Geosci 54:196–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2012.11.018
Albarelli DSNA, Mavrouli OC, Nyktas P (2021) Identification of potential rockfall sources using UAV-derived point cloud. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80:6539–6561. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02306-2
Anbalagan R, Sharma S, Raghuvanshi TK (1992) Rock mass stability evaluation using modified SMR approach. In: Proceedings of the 6th National Symposium on Rock Mechanics. p 258–268
Bar N, Barton N (2017) The Q-slope method for rock slope engineering. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50:3307–3322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-017-1305-0
Barton N, Lien R, Lunde J (1974) Engineering classification of rock masses for the design of tunnel support. Rock Mech 6:189–236
Bieniawski ZT (1989) Engineering Rock Mass Classification. Wiley, Chichester
Goodman RE (1989) Introduction to Rock Mechanics, 2nd edn. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, New York
Hack R, Price D, Rengers N (2003) A new approach to rock slope stability – a probability classification (SSPC). Bull Eng Geol Environ 62:167–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-002-0155-4
Hoek E, Bray JW (1981) Rock Slope Engineering Revised, 3rd edn. The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London
Hoek E, Marinos P, Benissi M (1998) Applicability of the Geological Strength Index (GSI) classification for very weak and sheared rock masses: the case of the Athens Schist Formation. Bull Eng Geol Environ 52:151–160
Kundu J, Mahanta B, Tripathy A, Sarkar K, Singh TN (2016) Stability evaluation of jointed rock slope with curved face. Indorock 2016:971–978
Leung CF, Kheok SC (1987) Computer-aided analysis of rock slope stability. Rock Mech Rock Eng 20:111–122. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01410042
Mahanta B, Singh HO, Singh PK et al (2016) Stability analysis of potential failure zones along NH-305, India. Nat Hazards 83:1341–1357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2396-8
Morales M, Panthi KK, Botsialas K (2019) Slope stability assessment of an open pit mine using three-dimensional rock mass modeling. Bull Eng Geol Environ 78:1249–1264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-017-1175-4
Pantelidis L (2009) Rock slope stability assessment through rock mass classification systems. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 46(2):315–325
Pastor JL, Riquelme AJ, Tomás R, Cano M (2019) Clarification of the slope mass rating parameters assisted by SMRTool, an open-source software. Bull Eng Geol Environ 78:6131–6142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01528-9
Prasetya I, Narendra R, Wiramsya A, Sophian I, Muslim D (2015) RMR and SMR as slope stability preliminary studies of rajamandala limestone mine area. In: Proceedings of 10th Asian Regional Conference of IAEG. p 1–5
Priest SD (1993) Discontinuity analysis for rock engineering. Chapman & Hall, London, p 31
Robertson AM (1988) Estimating weak rock strength. In: Proceedings of the SME Annual 427 meeting, Society of Mining Engineering. Phoenix, p 1–5
Romana M (1985) New adjustment ratings for application of Bieniawski classification to slopes. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on the role of rock mechanics, ISRM, Zacatecas, p 49–53
Romana M, Tomás R, Serón JB (2015) Slope Mass Rating (SMR) geomechanics classification: thirty years review. In: ISRM Congress 2015 Proceedings - International Symposium on Rock Mechanics, Quebec, Canada, May 10 to 13 2015. ISBN: 978–1- 926872–25–4, 10.
Sardana S, Verma AK, Singh A et al (2019) Comparative analysis of rockmass characterization techniques for the stability prediction of road cut slopes along NH-44A, Mizoram, India. Bull Eng Geol Environ 78:5977–5989. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01493-3
Sarkar K, Singh AK, Niyogi A et al (2016) The assessment of slope stability along NH-22 in Rampur-Jhakri Area, Himachal Pradesh. J Geol Soc India 88:387–393. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-016-0500-z
Selby MJ (1980) A rock mass strength classification for geomorphic purposes: with tests from Antarctica and New Zealand. Z Geomorpho 24:31–51
Siddique T, Pradhan SP, Vishal V et al (2017) Stability assessment of Himalayan road cut slopes along National Highway 58. India Environ Earth Sci 76:759. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-7091-x
Singh PK, Kainthola A, Singh TN (2015) Rock mass assessment along the right bank of river Sutlej, Luhri, Himachal Pradesh. India Geomatics Nat Hazards Risk 6(3):212–223. https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2013.834486
Singh R, Umrao RK, Singh TN (2014) Stability evaluation of road-cut slopes in the Lesser Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India: conventional and numerical approaches. Bull Eng Geol Environ 73:845–857. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-013-0532-1
Tomás R, Cuenca A, Cano M (2012) A graphical approach for slope mass rating (SMR). Eng Geol 124:67–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2011.10.004
Tomás R, Delgado J, Serón JB (2007) Modification of Slope Mass Rating (SMR) by continuous functions. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 44:1062–1069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2007.02.004
Triana K, Hermawan K (2020) Slope mass rating-based analysis to assess rockfall hazard on Yogyakarta Southern Mountain. Indonesia Geoenviron Disasters 7:24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40677-020-00164-w
Wu JH (2010) Compatible algorithm for integrations on a block domain of any shape for three-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis. Comput Geotech 37(1–2):153–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2009.08.009
Wu JH, Hsieh PH (2021) Simulating the postfailure behavior of the seismically- triggered Chiu-fen-erh-shan landslide using 3DEC. Eng Geol 287:106113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2021.106113
Wu JH, Lin WK, Hu HT (2017) Assessing the impacts of a large slope failure using 3DEC: The Chiu-fen-erh-shan residual slope. Comput Geotech 88:32–45
Wu JH, Lin WK, Hu HT (2018) Post-failure simulations of a large slope failure using 3DEC: The Hsien-du-shan slope. Eng Geol 242:92–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.05.018
Wyllie DC, Mah CW (2017) Rock slope engineering: Civil and mining, 4th edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315274980
Zakaria Z, Oscar AW, Sabila ZS, Jihadi LH (2016) Modified slope mass rating for slope design in open-pit mining. In: ISRM International Symposium - EUROCK 2016, ISRM-EUROCK-2016–103
Funding
This study is funded by the DST (NRDMS) New Delhi [Sanction No: NRDMS /02/68/017(G); dated 02/08/18].
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kundu, J., Sarkar, K., Verma, A.K. et al. Novel methods for quantitative analysis of kinematic stability and slope mass rating in jointed rock slopes with the aid of a new computer application. Bull Eng Geol Environ 81, 29 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02524-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02524-8