A Photogrammetric Approach for Stability Analysis of Weathered Rock Slopes

The geological strength index (GSI) system is dependent on the rock block volumes and the joint surface conditions. The weathering degree of rock slopes and their strength properties also depend on these characteristics. This study thus focuses on the use of the GSI system and the Hoek–Brown strength criterion to estimate the engineering parameters for weathered rock masses. Photogrammetric methods based on 3D surface models are used to obtain reliable data on the joint sets in rock slopes, instead of general site investigation using labor-intensive techniques. Photogrammetric surveys were conducted on weathered rock slopes in Gold Coast, Australia to obtain the joint spacing, orientation and roughness. The 3D models are then used to estimate the block sizes the joint roughness coefficients (JRC). The block volumes and JRC values were then used to estimate GSI values. Then parametric studies using the finite element method is conducted to investigate the stability of the slope using the GSI values. © 2014, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.