Rock Slope Engineering - Fourth Edition

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The stability of rock slopes is crucial in civil and mining engineering. In civil projects, ensuring rock cuts are safe from falls and slope instability is vital during construction and operation. In open pit mining, the steepest stable slope angle directly impacts operational economics, especially with heights reaching hundreds of meters. This extensively updated edition of a classic text comprehensively addresses the investigation, design, and operation of rock slopes. It covers methods for collecting and interpreting geological and groundwater data, alongside determining rock strength properties, including the Hoek Brown rock mass strength criterion. The design methods discussed include theoretical foundations for various failure types, with design charts for quick stability checks. New material includes advancements in earthquake engineering related to slope stability, probabilistic and numerical analysis, blasting, and slope movement monitoring. Stabilization techniques such as rock anchors, shotcrete, drainage, and protective measures like barriers and nets are also explored. The book features worked examples and case studies from civil and mining projects, illustrating the application of design methods across diverse geological conditions. Over 300 references are provided for further study, along with an introduction by Dr. Evert Hoek.