Strength-Reduction Stability Analysis of Rock Slopes Using the Hoek-Brown Failure Criterion

Abstract

The shear strength reduction technique is a method of performing slope stability analysis using a finite element or finite difference program. This technique is adapted here for use with the non-linear Hoek-Brown failure criterion, an empirical approach to estimating rock mass strength. Hoek-Brown strength parameters can be estimated using rock mass classification schemes such as RMR or GSI. Numerical results obtained by strength reduction are compared with limit analysis upper bound solutions derived using a series of linear failure surfaces tangent to the actual non-linear failure surface. Results are presented in graphs of normalized slope height versus RMR that could be used as stability charts.