Sliding Planes

The following modes of sliding or failure can be reported after an SWedge analysis, in the Info Viewer or the Sidebar wedge information panel.

Sliding on Both Joint Planes

After a typical SWedge analysis, the analysis summary will indicate, for a given wedge:

Sliding along line of intersection (trend/plunge)

This indicates that the factor of safety accounts for sliding on both of the failure planes (joint sets). The line of intersection refers to the line of intersection of the two failure planes (Joint Set 1 and Joint Set 2).

Sliding on a Single Plane

In some cases, depending on the geometry of the wedge and the magnitude of the water pressure, contact may be lost on either failure plane. In such cases, the analysis summary will show:

Sliding on Joint 1 or

Sliding on Joint 2

Contact Lost on Both Planes

If the water pressure is too high, the wedge will ‘float’, and the analysis summary will indicate:

Contact Lost on Both Planes

Sliding UP Line of Intersection

Finally, if the total capacity of the rock bolts is too high (ACTIVE bolt model only), or if a large external force is applied against the direction of sliding, the analysis summary may indicate:

Sliding UP Line of Intersection (trend/plunge)

indicating that the bolt force or external force is high enough to potentially push the wedge "up" the slope.