Effect of Inclined Tension Crack on Rock Slope Stability by SSR Technique

The tension cracks and joints in rock or soil slopes affect their failure stability. Prediction of rock or soil slope failure is one of the most challenging tasks in the earth sciences. The actual slopes consist of inhomogeneous materials, complex morphology, and erratic joints. Most studies concerning the failure of rock slopes primarily focused on determining Factor of Safety (FoS) and Critical Slip Surface (CSS). In this article, the effect of inclined tension crack on a rock slope failure is studied numerically with Shear Strength Reduction Factor (SRF) method. An inclined Tension Crack (TC) influences the magnitude and location of the rock slope's Critical Shear Strength Reduction Factor (CSRF). Certainly, inclined cracks are more prone to cause the failure of the slope than the vertical TC. Yet, all tension cracks do not lead to failure of the slope mass. The effect of the crest distance of the tension crack is also investigated. The numerical results do not show any significant change in the magnitude of CSRF unless the tip of the TC is very near to the crest of the slope. A TC is also replaced with a joint, and the results differ from the corresponding TC. These results are discussed regarding shear stress and Critical Slip Surface (CSS).