DEVELOPMENT, TESTING, AND EVALUATION OF A MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEM FOR RAPID COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE DATA RELATED TO ROCK SLOPE STABILITY (VIRGINIA)
Abstract
The complete stability analysis of a rock slope depends upon a detailed survey of the orientations and characteristics of weaknesses, called discontinuities, within the rock mass. Collection of these data is generally arduous and time consuming. The most useful analyses of the resulting data, in the past, could be accomplished only after field notebooks were returned to the office and the data plotted or entered into computers for detailed analyses. In this study, a microcomputer based system was developed which allows a slope investigator to rapidly collect geologic structure data in the field, using a pocket computer as an electronic notebook. When accessed by a portable microcomputer via a specially designed interface, detailed analyses of the collected data are available on-site in a matter of hours. Such analyses enable the slope investigator to make informed decisions regarding additional mapping in problem areas, or to recognize new problems as they develop during construction. The system also allows the slope investigator to transmit the data, by telephone line, to the main office computer for further analysis. Several traditional, as well as newly developed, analyses have been incorporated in the system. The traditional analyses include various types of equal-area stereonet plotting, for kinematic examinations such as Markland's Test, as well as discontinuity orientation contouring and cumulative sums analyses. Also included are limit equilibrium analyses for determining factors of safety against sliding of potential plane and wedge failures. Newly developed techniques include a discontinuity orientation contouring program requiring less computer time than convential techniques, which provides quick results for use in the field, and the discontinuity significance index which allows the microcomputer to rank discontinuities in terms of their significance regarding stability of a given slope. Discontinuity significance index calculations may be based on such parameters as discontinuity length, roughness, continuity, water pressure, and rock type. The results from test sites in the Valley and Ridge Province of Virginia are fully documented as examples.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Geology
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