ABSTRACT
The estimation of the stability of natural and engineered rock slopes is an important issue for geotechnical engineers and there has been considerable research in the development of the analysis methods. If it is anticipated that slope failure will be along pre-existing fractures (Figures 14.1 and 14.2), then plane, wedge and toppling failures can be analysed using stereographic projection methods (Figure 14.3) for hard rocks. If a new failure surface is created, then the potential for failure can be analysed by soil mechanics methods based on assumptions regarding the inclination and location of the inter-slice forces.
