RocPlane (2.

0)
A White Paper featuring RocPlane, our new interactive software tool for performing planar rock slope stability analysis and design

Geomechanics software solutions used worldwide in the geotechnical and mining industries

RocPlane for planar rock slope stability

Rocscience is very pleased to announce the release of RocPlane 2.0, a new interactive software tool for performing planar rock slopes stability analysis and design. RocPlane makes it very easy to quickly create planar models, visualize them in both 2D and 3D, and evaluate analysis results. This document devotes particular attention to RocPlanes ability to facilitate good engineering modelling practices.

RocPlane is designed to assist engineers in evaluating the stability of planar rock slopes, and in formulating effective strategies for improving stability. For many rock slope problems, engineers are required to assess the stability of sliding masses in very short time. Often such analyses are based on incomplete data on conditions in the slopes. Such circumstances require the prediction of slope responses to variations in the values of parameters that inuence stability. As well, engineers have to generate reports Introduction to RocPlane This white paper lays out the intended role of RocPlane in modelling planar rock slope stability problems. It will provide a synopsis of planar slope stability analysis and outline the different features in RocPlane that facilitate the work of engineers at different stages of design. The document devotes particular attention to RocPlanes ability to facilitate good modelling practices, as advocated by leading rock mechanics authorities. These general principles guide Rocsciences development of engineering software tools. that display model information and analysis results in a lucid and convenient manner for the benet of managers, clients and colleagues. RocPlane was designed to make it easy for slope designers to achieve all their design and report generation goals. The program allows users to readily create, compute and modify models. Its features give users the opportunity to compare alternative remedial measures, allowing them to opt for the most effective courses of action. Used in conjectural ways, RocPlane models give engineers a chance to get the most out of their data. 2

RocPlane was developed to facilitate the quick building and computation of models, and easy modication

Slope Engineering Design Process Generally, engineering rock slope design involves the following aspects: Collection and analysis of data Modelling of slopes Remediation measures, if required, for increasing stability of sliding blocks Writing of reports detailing analysis results, input data, underlying assumptions, and recommended forms of action For engineers to fully leverage their technical expertise during the design process, they require tools that are easy to use and have the required functionalities. In the absence of such tools, they are compelled to devote unwarranted amounts of time and effort just trying to adapt their tools to the tasks at hand. This detracts from the principal design focus - the solution of a slope stability problem - and reduces overall productivity. As well, it takes away time that could be otherwise devoted to engineering creativity. Role of RocPlane in Data Collection and Analysis Rock engineering experts advocate the use of models at the earliest stages of a design project. Since there is often little data available at preliminary design stages, RocPlane was developed to facilitate the quick building and computation of models, and easy model modication. Good conceptual modelling is a helpful tool for testing how data can be collected and used in the most effective manner. It also helps engineers to understand occurring phenomena and factors that control them. RocPlane, because it allows easy modelling, can contribute to signicant time and money savings, and improved design. Its use early in a project can help engineers avoid the trap of investing large amounts of money and effort without understanding how effective the investment will be. Used carefully, RocPlane can help uncover input parameters of a rock slope problem that require more careful consideration than others. Rocscience therefore developed RocPlane as a problem-solving tool for which the ultimate test is not how accurate results 3

The programs simplicity ensures that users have complete intellectual control of the models they build

are, but whether engineers are more likely to make better decisions with them than without them. It is designed to facilitate the testing of plausible alternative assumptions and to help assess the consequences of each assumption. Modelling Methodology The modelling of rock engineering problems is generally complex; the interpretation of data for use in models, the facets of a problem that must be included in a model, and the assumptions that are most appropriate all demand considerable amounts of professional judgement. This is why geomechanics modelling is at times compared to an art. For slope design in such an environment, RocPlane modelling can aid engineers to gain understanding, and to investigate potential trade-offs and alternatives. Although based on a straightforward algorithm, the programs simplicity ensures that users have complete intellectual control of the models they build. Models 4

are readily understood, and interactions between important problem parameters easily evident. Other Benets of using RocPlane Combined with the good modelling methodology that it facilitates, RocPlane can help slope engineers increase condence in their modelling results. The programs models, used innovatively, can forewarn engineers to scenarios or outcomes not considered beforehand. RocPlane provides different shear strength models, groundwater pressure regimes, and other parameter models that allow engineers to evaluate the implications of assumptions they use in analyses. Even when a slope situation is clearly three-dimensional, RocPlane can help engineers create models that bracket the true behaviour of the slope. In many instances the bounds established in this fashion are sufciently narrow and thus provide useful information on the actual real-life situation being modelled.

Overview of Planar Slope Stability Analysis

Planar failure is a relatively rare failure mode in rock slopes. This is because the specic geometrical conditions required to produce such a failure are seldom encountered in real slopes. This not withstanding, the study of planar failure mechanisms offers many benecial rock slope design insights. This failure mode is particularly valuable for investigating the sensitivity of slopes to variations in parameters such as the shear strength of failure surfaces and groundwater conditions.

To facilitate further discussion, the gure to the right shows the primary components of a planar failure model, and the terminology, used in RocPlane. General Conditions for plane failure For planar failure to occur in a rock slope, the following geometrical conditions must be present: A sliding or failure plane that strikes parallel or approximately parallel (within 20o) to the face of the slope. The failure plane must daylight into the face of the slope. This condition occurs when the failure surface dips at angle shallower than the slope face. The dip of the failure plane must be greater than the friction angle of this plane. The presence of release surfaces at the lateral boundaries of the slide block that have insignicant resistance to sliding. The two-dimensional models in RocPlane analyze the stability of slope slices that are taken perpendicular to the face of the slope, and that have unit thickness. With this assumption, the area of the surface on which sliding occurs can be represented by its trace length on a vertical cross-section through the sliding block, while the volume of the sliding block can be represented by the area of the gure created by the vertical section. 5
Plane failure problems may or may not involve tension cracks

Assumptions in RocPlane The models in RocPlane are based on limit equilibrium analysis of a sliding block. The factor of safety of the slope or sliding mass is dened as the ratio of the total forces resisting down-slope sliding to the total forces inducing sliding. The resisting forces comprise the shear strength of the sliding surface, articial reinforcement of the slope or other stabilizing external forces, if present. The driving forces consist of the down-slope component of the weight of the sliding block, forces generated by seismic acceleration, forces due to water pressures acting on various faces of the block, and external forces on the upper slope surface. The limit equilibrium models in RocPlane assume that all forces operating on a sliding block act through the centroid of the block; they ignore overturning moments. When an analysis involves a tension crack, it is assumed that the

tension crack, just as the failure plane, strikes parallel to the slope face. Whereas many planar wedge analysis programs consider only vertical tension cracks, RocPlane allows for non-vertical tension cracks as well. Non-vertical tension cracks in RocPlane can have angles of inclination from the horizontal that can exceed 90o. RocPlane also has the following capabilites: A variety of water pressure distributions including user-dened distributions. A simple example of assumed pressure distributions available in RocPlane is the case where water enters a sliding plane from the bottom of a tension crack and seeps along the sliding surface, escaping at atmospheric pressure where the sliding plane daylights in the slope face. Five different shear strength models for sliding planes, namely the Mohr-Coulomb, Barton-Bandis, Hoek-Brown, Generalized Hoek-Brown and Power Curve models. A horizontal or non-horizontal upper slope surface. A bench analysis mode for design ing and analyzing the stability of individual benches in a benched slope (e.g. open pit mine slope).

RocPlane Features
RocPlane is endowed with many features that provide users with the ability to rapidly build and modify models, and run them. It also includes functionalities for easily analyzing results, generating gures and charts, and producing convenient summaries of models and results.

The report generation features of RocPlane are especially useful to engineers when writing reports with high-quality, and professional-looking drawings and diagrams. They help slope designers to readily communicate ndings to people with varying slope engineering knowledge. Major features in RocPlane are desribed next. Creation and Modication of Models For beginners, or infrequent users of a software program, it is very necessary to use an intuitive tool that allows them to nd the features they need to accomplish their task with minimum effort. As a result, a key development goal of RocPlane was to provide an interface that users can use without extensive experience with the software. Easy discovery of model creating tools in RocPlane is made possible through the use of: User friendly dialogs for dening and modifying slope geometry, and Easy-to-use dialog for entering other input data

Functionalities that empower users to rapidly explore a wide variety of situations include: An option in the Input Data dialog for including or excluding a tension crack Deterministic analysis for calculating the factor of safety of a slope or sliding mass Sensitivity analysis for evaluating the inuence of individual parameters upon the factor of safety Probabilistic analysis for evaluating the probability or risk of failure of a slope Application of multiple external forces such as reinforcement loads, or loads from buildings Different water pressure distributions for a failure plane and tension crack (users also have opportunity to dene custom water pressure distributions) Application of seismic accelerations that can destabilize a slope
An intuitive program, RocPlane gives the user more condence in modelling by making functionality easy to discover. It focuses on making common tasks easy to preform.

The Input Data Dialog in RocPlane in the example shown, the dialog is congured for entering data for a deterministic analysis.

In the Wedge View, users can, Rotate a model (in the Perspective View only) Move the sliding block out of the Input Data Dialog Data, including geometrical parameters, for RocPlane models is entered through an Input Data dialog. This dialog has unique properties that make it easy to perform parametric analysis, or work simultaneously with multiple les. It can be minimized or maximized with simple mouse clicks. Whenever multiple les are open, it automatically displays input data for the active le. In the Input Data dialog users can enter deterministic or probabilistic input, based on the selected analysis mode. Wedge View A sliding block or wedge in a model is displayed in a four-view, split screen format showing TOP, FRONT, SIDE and PERSPECTIVE views. This feature enhances perception of the model. 8 Zoom in or out of the model Info Viewer RocPlane has an Info Viewer option that displays a convenient summary of model parameters and analysis results. The information listed in the Info Viewer is very useful for inclusion in a report or for printing. 2D View of Models In RocPlane users have the option of viewing a cross-section, taken through a model, which displays the geometry of the model (including dimensions), and the magnitudes of the force, normal to the failure plane, and driving force. The 2D View also displays a table that summarizes the values of important quantities such as the factor of safety, wedge weight, shear force, etc., computed in an analysis. slope (in all views) Resize or maximize the different views, and

Four-view, split display of a planar rock slope medel in RocPlane. By simply clicking and dragging the right mouse button, or rotating the mouse wheel, the block can be made to slide up or down the slope.

The 2D display of a planar slope model in RocPlane

Bench Anlaysis Normally, RocPlane determines a sliding block size as dened by a failure surface extending from the toe of a slope to the upper surface of the slope or to a tension crack. By selecting the bench analysis option in the Input Data dialog, however, a user can dene an alternative
Sliding block in the analysis of a complete slope. The block is scaled to the height of the slope by assuming that the failure plane paases through the slope toe. Sliding block in the analysis of a slope bench. The block is scaled to the width of the bench. As such the failure plane does not exit at the slope toe.

(smaller) wedge, scaled to the width of a bench. This option is very useful for the design of benches in an open-pit.

Groundwater Pressure Distribution in RocPlane One of the most critical components of any slope stability analysis is the determination of the water pressure distribution within the slope. Current site investigation methods are unable to precisely dene groundwater ow regimes in a slope or rock mass. As a result a slope designer must consider a number of realistic extremes in order to bracket the range of possible factors of safety, and to gauge the sensitivity of a slope to variations in groundwater conditions. Some of the plausible groundwater pressure distributions that can be modelled in RocPlane are described next. Dry slopes: This is the simplest case that can be found in rock slopes. When using this case it is assumed that a slope is completely drained. Water in slope with no tension crack: When no tension crack exists at the top of the slope a reasonable water pressure distribution has water intersecting the failure surface at a specied elevation above the toe of the slope. It is then assumed that pressures increase linearly with depth to a maximum value at half the specied elevation and thereafter decreases linearly to zero at the toe of the slope.

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Water pressure distribution ina slope with no tension crack. In this particular case it is assured that the pressure disribution on the failure varies linearly with height, reaching a maximum at the mid-height of the slope.

Simplest assumption of water pressure distribution on sliding surface and tension crack. Here the pressure distribution in the tension crack increases linearly from the upper level of the column of water to a maximum value at the base. On the failure plane it decreases linearly from the base of the tension crack to a zero value at the slope face.

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Water in tension crack and on sliding surface: There is a range of plausible water pressure distributions, which are likely for such conditions. In all of the cases the water pressure in the tension crack increases linearly from the upper level of the water column to the base of the tension crack. In the simplest assumption, the pressure distribution along the sliding surface decreases linearly from the base of the tension crack to a zero pressure condition at the point where water exits from the slope (the intersection of the failure surface and the slope face). Since the actual pressure distribution in a slope is often not known, this assumed distribution is as reasonable as any other made. RocPlane considers an alternative water pressure distribution in which pressures along the failure plane increase linearly from the tension crack base, reaches a maximum value at the mid-height point of the slope, and then decreases linearly to the intersection of the failure plane and the slope face. More extreme case of water in tension crack and on sliding surface: If the exit point of water in a slope became blocked or clogged for some reason such as freezing of the slope face in the winter, water pressure at the face could be due to the full head of water in

slope instead of a zero pressure condition at face. Such a water pressure distribution is more dangerous to the stability of a sliding block. Custom Pressure: The Custom Water Pressure option allows users to independently specify the average water pressure on a sliding plane, and on a tension crack if present. This option allows the greatest exibility in specifying water pressure distributions, and is very useful if actual water pressure data for slopes is available. Critical Tension Crack Location When it is not possible to determine the trace of a tension crack on the upper surface or face of a slope (for example when a tension crack is obscured by an overlying structure) it becomes necessary to consider the worst-case slope stability scenario. In such situations, RocPlane can be used to search for the location of the critical tension crack. The critical tension crack is the tension crack that, for a particular slope condition, produces the lowest factor of safety. Reinforcement of a Slope/Slope Stabilization Options If it is established that a particular slope is unstable, it becomes expedient to stabilize the sliding mass. Slopes can be stabilized through drainage, application of external loads, attening or reduction of slope face angle, reduction of slope height, or a combination of measures.

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External forces or loads that can be applied to stabilize a sliding block include measures such as rockbolts, cables anchored into the rock mass behind failure surface, or the construction of a waste rock berm to support the toe of slope. The effect of a waste rock berm can be accounted for in RocPlane as external force specied through a magnitude and direction. In the case of reinforcement, RocPlane allows users to evaluate the number, length and capacity of bolts needed to stabilize a sliding block. For deterministic analysis the program immediately calculates and displays the factor of safety as users change various bolt parameters. This makes it possible for users to interactively modify bolt properties and see the effect on stability. Optimization of bolt orientation: Through the selection of a simple option in RocPlane, users can optimize individual bolts. This option automatically determines the bolt orientation that maximizes the factor of safety. Bolt load required to attain specied factor of safety: RocPlane supplies users with an option that can calculate the bolt load required to achieve a specied factor of safety for a sliding block. Shear Strength Models A critical assumption in planar slope stability analysis involves the shear strength of the sliding surface. There are several models in rock engineering Miscellaneous Features Multiple Document Interface: In RocPlane users can have several les open at the same time. This feature facilitates the simultaneous, quick and convenient analysis and comparison of multiple slope models. It is very useful for evaluating the merits of various remedial measures. Internet Auto-Update Feature: Whenever a user starts RocPlane, the program checks for a new update at the Rocscience website. If one is available, RocPlane prompts the user to download the new version immediately or asks if the user is to be notied again after a user-specied period. 13 that establish the relationship between the shear strength of a sliding surface and the effective normal stress acting on the plane. RocPlane offers the following widely accepted shear strength models: Mohr-Coulomb Barton-Bandis Hoek-Brown Generalized Hoek-Brown, and Power Curve
Interactive dialog for specifying and modifying the parameters of a bolt. As soon as any bolt parameters are changed, RocPlane immediately recalculates the factor of safety of the sliding block and displays it in the dialog.

Sensitivity Analysis and Sensitivity Plots

The effect of uncertainty in the values of a models parameters on results can be explored using a sensitivity analysis. In sensitivity analysis, values of model parameters are varied across a range of likely values and the effect on computed factors of safety observed.

Sensitivity plots showing the inuence of changes in slope angle, slope height, cohesion and the depth of tension crack lled with water. From the plots it is evident that changes in slope angle exert the strongest inuence on the stability of the sliding block.

This exercise helps identify the parameters that have the most effect on the stability of a sliding block, and can be used to compare the effectiveness of various remedial measures. RocPlane can generate sensitivity plots, which are plots of factor of safety results on the basis of percentage changes in

model parameters specied by users. On sensitivity plots, the gradient of a curve for a parameter indicates the effect that parameter has on the factor of safety of a sliding mass. Steeper rising or falling curves indicate greater inuence on the factor of safety.

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Uncertainty and Probabilistic/Stochastic Analysis

Probabilistic or stochastic analysis is used whenever it is important to consider the uncertainty in a slopes factor of safety. Estimation of this uncertainty helps to assess the probability or risk of failure of the slope. Stochastic modelling enables engineers to go beyond the mere assessment of best- or worst-case scenarios; it also makes it possible for them to evaluate outcomes most likely to occur.

The histogram plot of the factor of safety results for a probabilistic analysis. The best-t distribution a lognormal distribution - for this histogram is also shown on the plot.

RocPlane supplies the tools needed to perform true probabilistic analysis. It allows users to specify statistical distributions and ranges for input variables, and automatically run hundreds or even thousands of possible combinations of the variables in a model.

Since every remedial measure for stabilizing a sliding mass has a price tag, RocPlane stochastic modelling can help engineers and managers to weigh costs against probability of success.

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Some of the probabilistic analysis capabilities in RocPlane include: Statistical distributions (normal, uniform, triangular, beta, exponential and lognormal probability distribution functions) for input data Goodness-of-t tests for output data distributions, and
The results of a probabilistic simulation in RocPlane can be displayed in graphs and charts within the program, or can be exported to the familiar interface of Microsoft Excel.

Viewing of wedges corresponding to points on histograms Export of data from a probabilistic simulation directly to Microsoft Excel, the clipboard or a text le Users can generate histograms and cumulative plots for data that they select. On the histogram plot for a selected variable, RocPlane lists the mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values of the variable. RocPlane lets users view sliding block congurations that correspond to points selected on a histogram or scatter plot. When a user clicks on a part of a histogram or scatter plot, the program updates all views such as the Wedge View, 2D View and Info Viewer so that they display information for the nearest sliding block model corresponding to the selected point on the plot. This feature is useful, for example, for determining the typical slope conditions that generate sliding blocks of a specied factor of safety. The results of a probabilistic simulation in RocPlane can be displayed in graphs and charts within the program, or can be exported to the familiar interface of Microsoft Excel with the simple click of a button. They can also be copied to the clipboard or to a text le. This feature allows users to further process simulation results using software with more sophisticated statistical functionalities.

Monte Carlo and Latin Hypercube probabilistic simulation techniques An option in RocPlane allows engineers to include the correlation between the cohesion and friction angle of sliding surfaces modelled with the Mohr-Coulomb strength relationship, since this correlation can inuence expected outcomes. Data and Results Interpretation Tools for Probabilistic Analysis RocPlane users have at their disposal extensive and exible graphical capabilities for interpreting and understanding the behaviour of a planar failure model. The program offers the following data interpretation features: Graphical output such as histograms and cumulative (S-curve) distributions for all statistical input data and quantities, such as wedge weight and factor of safety, computed in a model Scatter plots of variables accompanied by the calculation of correlation coefcients and parameters of best t lines for plotted data

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Reporting Models and Analysis Results

The communication of model results to managers, colleagues, clients, or the public forms an important part of the work of engineers. In addition to previously described features, the following are some of the helpful tools RocPlane supplies, which make the communication of model information and results easy to perform.

The histogram plot of the factor of safety results for a probabilistic analysis shown in grayscale.

Grayscale option The Grayscale option in RocPlane is a toggle that automatically converts all the views of a current document from colour to grayscale, or vice versa. Toggled on, the Grayscale option is useful for sending images to a monochrome printer, or for capturing monochrome image les.

Printing The contents of an active view or window in RocPlane can be readily printed. Print output is congured to have a professional look and high quality. Users can preview the look of the page to be printed, and can customize the print outlook by changing parameters such as orientation of the page and margins.

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Clipboard support An active view can be captured to the clipboard with a single command. From the clipboard, images can be pasted directly into word or image processing applications.

Screen Capture to Image File RocPlane has an Export Image File option that allows users to save an active view directly to a JPEG (*.jpg) or Windows Bitmap (*.bmp) graphics le format.

Concluding Statements
RocPlane is a problem-solving tool created for engineers by engineers. It lays out its tools in a well-designed and intuitive manner, and allows speedy building, modication and computation of models. Combined, these attributes facilitate good modelling and engineering design practices.

The software allows rock slope engineers to focus on providing creative and innovative solutions to problems by equipping them with considerable functionality, and freeing them from laborious and mundane aspects of their design work. Using RocPlane, slope designers can gain very good understanding of planar failure slope behaviour, and examine many plausible possibilities with minimal effort.

RocPlane helps engineers to achieve the important maxim that rock mechanics models should never be run only once, as the sensitivity of the results to changes in model parameters and assumptions are most informing.

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