Knowledge Base Overview

Can RocTopple do flexural toppling analysis?

Limit equilibrium flexural toppling analysis as described in Amini, Majdi and Veshadi (2012) was added to the new version of RocTopple along with the original limit equilibrium block toppling analysis as described in Goodman and Bray (1976).

Finite element analysis of more complex toppling modes including flexural toppling can be carried out with the RS2 program. See the RS2 Joint Verification Manual for examples.

Why does RocTopple show toppling and sliding of blocks when the safety factor is greater than 1?

The display of failure modes for individual blocks represents the potential failure mode of the blocks, if the shear strength of the joint planes is reduced by a factor equal to the value of safety factor.

If the safety factor is greater than 1, the overall slope is stable and the block failure mode display represents the potential and not actual failure of the blocks.

I want to further explore the slope failure mechanism using a finite element tool. Can I export my model to RS2?

Yes, a RocTopple model can be exported to RS2. RocTopple is a simple to use analysis tool for evaluating block toppling in rock slopes. It provides a preliminary analysis. The user is highly encouraged to explore the slope failure mechanism through alternative tools, such as a comprehensive finite element or discrete element software.

In the Export to RS2 Tutorial, we’ll be demonstrating RocTopple’s “Export to RS2” option and subsequently how to setup a block toppling model in RS2. RS2 is a finite element stress analysis software. With joint network implementation, RS2 can also predict the failure mechanism and shear strength reduction factor for jointed rock mass.