Top

Geotechnical and Geological Engineering

Published in:

17-10-2018 | Original Paper

Slope Stability Analysis of a Rock Cut in a Residential Area, Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A Case Study

Authors: Adnan Aqeel, Haider Zaman, Ahmed Abd El Aal

Published in: Geotechnical and Geological Engineering | Issue 3/2019

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config

AI-assisted search

Off

Abstract

The stability of a granitic rock cut located within a densely populated residential area in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, was investigated to avoid rock failure consequences. Based on the field inspection, this cut is characterized by a very irregular face leading to the occurrence of rock sliding and rockfall events in the area. Moreover, this cut lacks any type of stabilization or protection measurements. Kinematic analysis was used to analyze rock sliding events while RocFall software was used to analyze the mechanism of rockfall incidents. The results indicated to the high probability of wedge failures to take place (≈ 67%) as well as the toppling failures but with lower probability (< 10%). Furthermore, it was found that some large loose rock blocks on the cut surface could be easily triggered and fallen down reaching all onto the road and causing loss of life and damages to properties. As a result, this research recommended immediate scaling for loose rocks as well as constructing effective catch ditch in addition to anchoring large intact rocks.

previous article Study on Foundation Deformation of Buildings in Mining Subsidence Area and Surface Subsidence Prediction

next article Analysis of the Seismic Effect of Slopes with Different Shapes Under Dynamic Loads

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 102.000 Bücher
über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Automobil + Motoren
Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
Finance + Banking
Management + Führung
Marketing + Vertrieb
Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 67.000 Bücher
über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Automobil + Motoren
Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Abramson LW, Lee TS, Sharma S, Boyce GM (2002) Slope stability and stabilization methods, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York

Akin M (2012) Slope stability problems and back analysis in heavily jointed rock mass: a case study from Manisa, Turkey. Rock Mech Rock Eng 46(2):359–371CrossRef

Al-E’bayat MS (2017) Assessment of rockfall rollout risk along varying slope geometries using the RocFall and CRSP software. MSc thesis, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA

Alejano LR, Gόmez-Márquez I, Martínez-Alegría AR (2010) Analysis of a complex toppling-circular slope failure. Eng Geol 114(1–2):93–104CrossRef

Alejano LR, Ferrero AM, RamíRez-Oyanguren P, Álvarez-Fernández MI (2011) Comparison of limit equilibrium, numerical, and physical models of wall slope stability. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 48(1):6–26CrossRef

Alejano LR, Gonza J, Jose M (2012) Comparison of different techniques of tilt testing and basic friction angle variability assessment. Rock Mech Rock Eng 45(6):1023–1035CrossRef

Ansari M, Ahmad M, Singh R, Singh T (2014) Rockfall hazard assessment at Ajanta Cave, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. Arab J Geosci 7(5):1773–1780CrossRef

Ansari MK, Ahmed M, Singh T, Ghalayani I (2015) Rainfall, a major cause for rockfall hazard along the roadways, highways and railways on hilly terrains in India. Eng Geol Soc Territ 1:457–460

Aqeel A, Maerz N, Anderson N (2014) Mapping subvertical discontinuities in rock cuts using a 400 MHz ground penetrating radar antenna. Arab J Geosci 7(5):093–2105CrossRef

Bruce IG, Cruden DM, Eaton TM (1989) Use of a tilting table to determine the basic friction angle of hard rock samples. Can Geotech J 26(3):474–479CrossRef

Chen H, Chen RH, Huang TH (1994) Application of an analytical model to a slope subjected to rockfalls. Environ Eng Geosci XXXI(4):447–458CrossRef

Cheng YM, Lau CK (2008) Slope stability analysis and stabilization: new methods and insights. Routledge, Taylor and Francis, New YorkCrossRef

Dai FC, Lee CF, Li J, Xu ZW (2001) Assessment of landslide susceptibility on the natural terrain of Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Environ Geol 40(3):381–391CrossRef

Dong-Pinga D, Lianga L, Jian-Fengb W, Lian-Henga Z (2016) Limit equilibrium method for rock slope stability analysis by using the Generalized Hoek-Brown criterion. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 89:176–184CrossRef

Dussauge-Peisser C, Helmstetter A, Grasso JR, Hantz D, Desvarreux P, Giraud A (2002) Probabilistic approach to rockfall hazard assessment: potential of historical data analysis. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 2(15–26):15–26CrossRef

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) (1989) Rock slopes: design, excavation and stabilization. Publication no. FHW A-TS-89-045, Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, McLean, VA

Ghani RA, Goh TL, Hariri AM, Baizura YN (2011) Field and laboratory-based approach for the determination of friction angle of geological discontinuities of Malaysian granites. ASEAN J Sci Technol Dev 28(2):151–155CrossRef

Goodman RE (1989) Introduction to rock mechanics, 2nd edn. Willey, New York

Güntel B, Acar A (2016) Rockfall modelling with remedial design and measures along part of a mountainous settlement area, southern Turkey. In: IOP conference series: earth and environmental science, vol 44, 022013

Haneberg WC (2008) Using close range terrestrial digital photogrammetry for 3-D rock slope modeling and discontinuities mapping in the United States. Bull Eng Geol Env 67(4):457–469CrossRef

Hencher SR (1980) Friction parameters for the design of rock slopes to Withstand earthquake loading. In: Proceedings, conference on dams and earthquake, London, pp 79–87

Hoek E, Bray JW (1981) Rock slope engineering. The Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, London, p 358

Kainthola A, Verma D, Singh TN (2013) Probabilistic and sensitivity investigation for the hill slopes in Uttarakhand, Lesser Himalaya, India. Am J Numer Anal 1(1):8–14

Kentli B, Topal T (2004) Assessment of rock slope stability for a segment of the Ankara–Pozantı motorway, Turkey. Eng Geol 74(1–2):73–90CrossRef

Kliche CA (1999) Rock slope stability. Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, London

Kulatilake PH, Wang LQ, Tang HM, Liang L (2011) Evaluation of rock slope stability for Yujian River dam site by kinematic and block theory analyses. Comput Geotech 38(6):846–860CrossRef

Li AJ, Merifield RS, Lyamin AY (2008) Stability charts for rock slopes based on the Hoek–Brown failure criterion. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 45(5):689–700CrossRef

Maerz N, Youssef A, Otoo J, Kassebaum T, Duan Y (2012) A simple method for measuring discontinuity orientations from terrestrial Lidar images. Environ Eng Geosci 19(2):185–195CrossRef

Maerz N, Aqeel A, Anderson N (2015) Measuring orientations of individual hidden sub-vertical discontinuities in sandstone rock cuts integrating ground penetrating radar and terrestrial LIDAR. Environ Eng Geosci XXI(4):293–309CrossRef

Meert JG, Lieberman BS (2008) The Neo-Proterozoic assembly of Gondwana and its relationship to the Ediacaran-Cambrian radiation. Gondwana Res 14(1–2):5–21CrossRef

Mohtarami E, Jafari A, Amini M (2014) Stability analysis of slopes against combined circular-toppling failure. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 67:43–56CrossRef

Olaleye BM, Ajibade ZF (2011) Kinematic analyses of different types of rock slope failures in a typical limestone quarry in Nigeria. J Emerg Trends Eng Appl Sci 2(6):914–920

Otoo J, Maerz N, Xiaoling L, Duan Y (2011a) 3-D discontinuity orientations using combined optical imaging and Lidar techniques. In: Proceedings of the 45th U.S. rock mechanics symposium, San Francisco, CA, 26–29 June 2011, p 9

Otoo J, Maerz N, Duan Y, Xiaoling L (2011b) LiDAR and optical imagining for 3-D fracture orientations. In: Proceedings of 2011 NSF engineering research and innovation conference, Atlanta, GA

Pantelidis L (2009) Rock slope stability assessment through rock mass classification systems. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 46(2):315–325CrossRef

Pellaton, C. (1981) Geologic map of Al-Madinah quadrangle, Sheet 24 D, GM 52-A, International Index NG-37-15, Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia

Rafek AG, Jamin NH, Lai GT, Simon N, Hussin A (2016) Systematic approach to sustainable rock slope stability evaluation. Proc Chem 19:981–985CrossRef

Rocscience Inc. (2017) Risk analysis of falling rocks on steep slopes. Rocscience Computer Software, Rocscience Inc., Toronto

Russell CP, Santi P, Humphrey JD (2008) Modification and statistical analysis of the Colorado Rockfall Hazard Rating System. Report no. CDOT-2008-7, p 139

Sarkar K, Buragohain B, Singh TN (2016) Rock slope stability analysis along NH-44 in Sonapur Area, Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya. J Geol Soc India 87(3):317–322CrossRef

Schweigl J, Ferretti C, Nössing L (2003) Geotechnical characterization and rockfall simulation of a slope: a practical case study from South Tyrol (Italy). Eng Geol 67(3–4):281–296CrossRef

Shen JY, Karakus M, Xu CS (2013) Chart-based slope stability assessment using the generalized Hoek–Brown criterion. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 64:210–219CrossRef

Singh PK, Wasnik AB, Ashutosh K, Sazid M, Singh TN (2013a) The stability of road cut cliff face along SH-121: a case study. Nat Hazards 68(2):497–507CrossRef

Singh RP, Dubey CS, Singh SK, Shukla DP, Mishra BK, Tajbakhsh M, Ningthoujam PS, Sharma M, Singh N (2013b) A new slope mass rating in mountainous terrain, Jammu and Kashmir Himalayas: application of geophysical technique in slope stability studies. Landslides 10(3):255–265CrossRef

Singh PK, Kainthola A, Singh TN (2014a) Influence of rock mass parameters on the stability of high hill slopes. In: Indorock 2014: 5th Indian rock conference, New Delhi, 12–14 Nov 2014, pp 577–587

Singh RP, Umrao RK, Singh TN (2014b) Stability evaluation of road-cut slopes in the Lesser Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India: conventional and numerical approaches. Bull Eng Geol Environ 73(3):845–857CrossRef

Stern R, Johnson P (2010) Continental lithosphere of the Arabian plate: a geologic, petrologic and geophysical synthesis. Earth Sci Rev 10(1–2):29–67CrossRef

Taheri A, Tani K (2010) Assessment of the stability of rock slopes by the slope stability rating classification system. Rock Mech Rock Eng 43(3):321–333CrossRef

Topal T, Akin M, Ozden UA (2017) Assessment of rockfall hazard around Afyon Castle, Turkey. Environ Geol 53(1):191–200CrossRef

Ulusay R, Karakul H (2016) Assessment of basic friction angles of various rock types from Turkey under dry, wet and submerged conditions and some considerations on tilt testing. Bull Eng Geol Environ 75(4):1683–1699CrossRef

Varnes DJ (1984) Landslide hazard zonation: a review of principles and practice. Nat Hazards 3:63

Wei LW, Chen H, Lee CF, Huang WK, Lin ML, Chi CC, Lin HH (2014) The mechanism of rockfall disaster: a case study from Badouzih, Keelung, in northern Taiwan. Eng Geol 183:116–126CrossRef

Wyllie DC (1991) Rock slope stabilization and protection measures. In: Hambley DF (ed) National symposium on highway and railroad slope maintenance, symposium series, vol 6, Chicago, IL, 2–3 Oct 1991. Association of Engineering Geologists, pp 41–64

Wyllie DC, Mah CW (2004) Rock slope engineering: civil and mining. Taylor and Francis, New York

Title: Slope Stability Analysis of a Rock Cut in a Residential Area, Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A Case Study
Authors: Adnan Aqeel
Haider Zaman
Ahmed Abd El Aal
Publication date: 17-10-2018
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Geotechnical and Geological Engineering / Issue 3/2019
Print ISSN: 0960-3182
Electronic ISSN: 1573-1529
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-018-0720-7

Springer Professional

Abstract

Please log in to get access to your license.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Springer Professional "Technik"

Other articles of this Issue 3/2019

Significance of Surface Eco-Protection Techniques for Cohesive Soils Slope in Selangor, Malaysia

Numerical Simulation Study on the Anchorage Mechanism of Yield Supporting in Deep Tunnel

Prediction of Squeezing Potential in Tunneling Projects Using Data Mining-Based Techniques

Risk Assessment of Floor Water Inrush Using Entropy Weight and Variation Coefficient Model

Analysis of the Seismic Effect of Slopes with Different Shapes Under Dynamic Loads

Seismic Stability Analysis of Waterfront Rock Slopes Using the Modified Pseudo-Dynamic Method