Application of LEM, FEM and DEM in Stability Analysis of Highly Jointed Rock Slopes

Abstract The comparative slope stability analysis of the highly fractured rock slope by three different methods is presented. The usually applied slope stability methods of the rock mass obeying the Hoek and Brown failure criterion comprises the limit equilibrium and/or the finite element method, quantifying the slope stability by the factor of safety. The better knowledge of the entire process of rock slope failure, i.e., the initiation, development of micro-cracks and final position of the failure surface, capturing large deformations, damage and breakage through the rock mass material could be achieved by the implementation of discrete element modeling. In this paper, the application of these three methods for the analysis of failed rock slope case study is shown. The analysis showed that all three methods produce similar results regarding the factor of safety value and position of the failure surface, being in line with the position of the failure surface observed in situ. The discrete element method gives the best prediction, providing a more in-depth knowledge of the failure, estimating the factor of safety by a new approach.