Rock wedge

The program performs stability analysis of a rock wedge that is wedged in between two surfaces (planes) and slides in the direction of the line of interaction (tray) of these planes. Gradient of this intersection must be considerably larger than the angle of internal friction along dividing planes, whereas the falling line of both dividing planes must be directed towards the line of intersection. It is further assumed that the tray is located in a stable rock body. 

The solution requires determination of the normal force N, the shear force T_act (active) and the resisting (passive) shear force T_res acting on slip surfaces A1 and A2. The active force T_act and the normal force N are obtained as a summation all forces entering the analysis after performing the space resolution of these forces.

The Mohr-Coulomb shear strength parameters and the normal force N acting on the slip surface are the main input data for the determination of the resisting shear forces T_res. Calculation of the active shear force T_act and the normal force N is further influenced by the weight of block (depends on the geometry and bulk weight of rock), anchorage, surcharge, influence of water and seismic effects.

The slip surface can be specified with a tension crack. The resulting verification can be carried out either according to the theory of limit states or factors of safety.

Components acting on a rock wedge

Literature:

Charles A. Kliche: Rock slope stability, SME, USA, 1999,ISBN 0-87335-171-1