Rock Slope Stability Assessment in the Fernando Hiriart Arch Dam Reservoir

Abstract

The case study of the rockslide in the reservoir of 207-m high Fernando Hiriart Arch Dam (Mexico) is discussed. The problem required the stability analysis of this rock mass with the evaluation of its volume to estimate the consequences if the rock mass would fall into the reservoir. Evidently the sliding started when the water in the reservoir reached a certain level. The main problem of the analysis was the lack of information about the position and shape of the sliding surface and the shear strength of rock mass. The position and the shape of the sliding surface were predetermined on the basis of some premises, and the consequent numerical analysis allowed determining the shear strength of rock mass. On the basis of the results obtained it was concluded that with the normal water level the rock mass must be stable.