Block Generation

The method of generating blocks in RocTopple is determined by the Block Generation selection in the General tab of the Project Settings dialog. To open the tab:

• Select Project Settings on the toolbar or on the Analysis menu.

The available options are:

• Equal Area (the default)
• Goodman and Bray

Equal Area

The Equal Area method ensures that the total area of the rectangular toppling blocks is equal to the cross-sectional area of the slope (i.e., the triangle formed by the slope surface, upper slope, and the overall base inclination).

The Equal Area method is the default and recommended method because it tends to provide more consistent results for a Probabilistic or Sensitivity analysis if the slope geometry parameters are being varied (e.g., toppling joint spacing).

Goodman and Bray

The Goodman and Bray method is the method of block generation used in Goodman and Bray (1976). This method is offered in RocTopple if you want to compare results with the original Goodman and Bray algorithm.

This method may sometimes lead to erratic results (e.g., discrete jumps in the Factor of Safety) for a Probabilistic or Sensitivity analysis where the geometry parameters are being varied. In general, the Equal Area method is recommended unless you specifically want to compare results with the original Goodman and Bray block generation method.

NOTE: For a detailed description of the two block generation methods, see RocTopple Theory Documents.