Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1999

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Civil Engineering

Major Professor

Matthew Mauldon

Abstract

Computers provide a powerful tool for the stability analysis of many physical scenarios. An area where advanced interactive computer analysis software has been relatively sparse is in the analysis of rock slopes. Interactive software aids in the analysis of rock slope stability in two main ways: first, by automating long and involved calculations, thus saving time and minimizing human error and second, by providing rapid visual feedback on how changing input parameters affects stability. In this way, the rock slope engineer can quickly get a feel for the factors critical to the problem at hand and the software thus becomes an effective learning tool, in addition to being an analysis tool.

Three interactive computer programs which aid in the stability analysis of rock slopes have recently been developed at the Institute for Geotechnology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville under a research project funded by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. These programs are entitled PlaneSlip, WedgeSlip, and RockSlip and are collectively known as the ROCKSLIP package. PlaneSlip and WedgeSlip implement limiting equilibrium solutions for plane and wedge slides, respectively, while RockSlip implements an energy method to analyze the stability of curved or multi-plane failure surfacesApplication of these programs to the analysis of rock slopes in East Tennessee and Alabama will be demonstrated with some worked example problems. The worked examples are also included in a workbook which gives a condensed introduction to the programs and highlights major features of the programs with each of the example problems.

These programs allow the user to interactively adjust the discontinuity geometry, slope geometry, water pressure, friction angle, cohesion, and slope reinforcement. Water pressure in PlaneSlip and RockSlip is governed by the combination of two parameters: the height of water in a tension crack and a parameter called drainage impedance, which controls the permeability of the discontinuities. In WedgeSlip there is an input value for the average water pressure on each plane which can be specified by the user or set to a default value based on slope geometry. Screen displays of the slope cross section and stereographic projections of the slope geometry and discontinuity data change in real time as the user adjusts the variables.

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