ABSTRACT
Rock masses are generally classified into three groups namely: class A is a continuous type, class B is a discontinuous type, and class C is a highly fractured rock type. For the continuous and pseudo-continuous types of rock, the deformational behaviours of slopes are classified into three different modes, that is, elastic, sliding and toppling. Toppling is the specific characteristic of the pseudo-continuous type of rocks. In a back analysis, toppling behaviours can be treated numerically in the same manner as the other two types of behaviours, provided that the anisotropic parameter is used. In the numerical simulations, the finite element method is used, and the anisotropic parameters in each subdivided region are assumed for the input data, so as to simulate each deformational mode, such as sliding (straight sliding plane), sliding (curved sliding plane), surface sliding and toppling, by a trial and error method.
