Stability Analysis of Rock Slopes using a Viscoplastic Multilaminate Model

Existence of joints and faults in a rock mass causes more deformability and less strength of rock masses. In this paper, stability of jointed rock slopes is analyzed using a finite element code with multilaminate ,odel. In this model the effect of joint sets with different dip angle, dip direction and characteristics on the behavior of rock masses is considered. At first the results of the model are compared with the results of limit equilibrium analysis in a homogeneous material. the results of the safety factors of one joint set in a slope with different dip angles are compared with those of the finite difference code (FLAC).