Rock Slope Stability Analysis Using the Discontinuous Deformation Analysis

The Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) is introduced as a potential technique that allows a realistic incorporation of kinematics in rock slope stability analysis. A comparative study with Sarma's method is proposed to investigate the stability analysis of a classic rock slope. The study shows that the DDA, which accounts for the block kinematics, provides a very different factor of safety as compared with Sarma's method. More realistic reaction forces around each rock block can be obtained by the DDA. The DDA's result shows two possible directions for the relative movement between two contiguous blocks at the initiation of slope failure. It also indicates that the limit equilibrium condition may not occur along the interfaces of rock blocks at the initiation of slope failure. The determination of realistic interaction forces around each block will be very important in rock slope stability analysis if nonlinear failure criteria are considered.