The characterization of rock slope stability using key blocks within the framework of GeoSMA-3D

Considering the uncertainty and complexity of the influencing factors, the present study focused on the multi-level and multi-index evaluation system for analyzing rock slope stability. Quantitative analysis of the influence degree of the evaluation index on the rock slope stability was carried out by extension theory. The most significant factors affecting rock slope stability and the corresponding evaluation index were obtained. Further, the study presents a concept about the instability characterization coefficient of the key block, which is an important factor controlling slope stability. With this coefficient implemented into the search module of key blocks in the program Geotechnical Structure and Model Analysis-3D (GeoSMA-3D), developed by the corresponding author’s team, a further determination and visualization of key blocks were achieved. However, in many previous studies, there was no good correlation between the theoretical key blocks and the actual rock slope engineering, which led to derailment between theoretical analysis and practical engineering. Hence, this paper proposed the characterization safety factor of rock slope stability that combined the instability characterization coefficient with the weight of key blocks. The influence degree of each key block on rock slope stability was determined by the size of the instability characterization coefficient of key blocks. The weight of each key block on the slope stability was determined by combining this coefficient with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The key block information was applied to characterize the rock slope stability. The present study proposed a convenient and feasible evaluation method regarding rock slope stability. For the specific rock slope engineering, the significance of each evaluation index was determined and the most significant index was obtained. The determination and visualization of key blocks and the judgment of the slope stability were investigated, which verified the applicability and feasibility of this evaluation method.