Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
C.6.3 Slope classi
cations
Various authors have devised soil and rock mass classi
cations as a
means of judging slope stability (Romana, 1991; Selby, 1993; Hack,
1998). In the experience of the author, these are less commonly applied
than are rock mass classi
cations for tunnels, perhaps because there is
not usually the same degree of urgency to make decisions and need to
link observations to empirical experience. When assessing a slope, one
can usually take some time to examine and investigate the geological
conditions in some detail and carry out rational analysis and design
-
as of course should also be done wherever time allows for under-
ground openings, as discussed in
Chapter 6.
Slope stability assessment
classi
cations can be useful where, for example, carrying out a rapid
comparative hazard and risk survey along a highway.
