Volume 1, Issue 2 — Year 2024 — Article e100021

Alireza Moharami¹; Mahsa Azadi²

1. Department of Engineering, Raghib Isfahani Institute of Higher Education, Isfahan 7998981691, Iran
2. Department of Engineering, Raghib Isfahani Institute of Higher Education, Isfahan 7998981691, Iran

Rock slope stability is a crucial component of geotechnical engineering, aimed at ensuring the safety and integrity of both natural and artificial slopes within rock formations. This study aims to classify rock slopes based on stability using the Qslope method, an approach originally developed by Bar and Barton in 2017 and later modified by Azarafza et al. in 2020 to accommodate data from Iran. For this research, 12 jointed rock slopes in the Semirom region of Iran were selected as case studies. The analysis revealed that most of these slopes are in stable or uncertain conditions, while two were identified as unstable. The findings underscore the utility of the Qslope method as a fast and efficient tool for assessing rock slope stability. This method offers practical advantages for geotechnical engineers, as it streamlines the evaluation process, especially in regions where geological data may be limited or difficult to obtain. Ultimately, the study contributes valuable insights into slope stability management in Iran, while also confirming the broader applicability of the Qslope method to various geographical contexts.

Rock slope, Slope stability, rock mechanics, Qslope, Geology