Rock Wedge Stability Analysis by a Level III Reliability Method

In fractured rock masses, discontinuities control the mechanical response of slopes. They even define geometry a potential failure, known kinematically controlled failure. Hence, proper characterization and description are needed to assess their stability. Accordingly, in this work, reliability assessment wedges' stability was performed by Monte Carlo simulation. The orientation modeled as random variable that follows rotationally symmetric Fisher distribution. We developed an algorithm modes failure based on planes, which articulated within methodology compute factor safety wedges explicitly. systematically defines set-up joint planes. Then it verifies relative location slope set-up, is related mode wedge. proposed validated comparison against commercial software; both yielded same results. Besides, probability function removable were computed for different concentration parameters. Reliability showed importance properly characterizing variability since highly influences addition, definition kinematic analysis required before computing because many combinations planes do not lead unstable wedges, reduces Otherwise, overestimated. Finally, we recommend further work wedge involving rotational nonsymmetric