Application of metric 3D images of rock faces for the determination of the response of rock slopes to excavation

Geotechnical analyses in rock engineering practice often rely on simple models. More advanced analysis methods suffer from the lack of information of geotechnical data. Input parameters have to be estimated. If a reasonable estimation is not possible, advanced analysis methods should not be applied. One possibility to improve the geotechnical data acquisition is the application of a remote sensing system and the generation of metric 3D images. Metric 3D images serve as the basis for the assessment of geometrical rock mass properties as well as the size and shape of the outcrop. Evaluations from 3D images facilitate the establishment of a 3D discontinuity network, the determination of discontinuity properties (such as orientation, spacing, trace lengths, etc.) and the geological interpretation. A short review on the development and currently available remote sensing methods is given. The principle of 3D imaging is discussed considering as example the JointMetriX3D system which has been applied in this study. The contribution of data obtained from 3D images to slope analysis methods is described on an advanced block analysis method and the estimation of rock mass properties for numerical analysis.