Dynamic stability of rock slopes with hexagonal discontinuity pattern

Various regular discontinuity patterns are observed in rock masses and one of the common discontinuity patterns is hexagonal pattern, which is mostly observed in all extrusive volcanic rocks such as basalt, andesite, ryholite and welded tuffs as well as in some sedimentary rocks subjected to desiccation or freezing-thawing processes. In this study, the authors investigate the dynamic stability of rock slope consisting of hexagonal blocks through model tests on shaking table. Experiments indicated that toppling or sliding failures, which may be of active or passive modes occur. Critical acceleration levels can be estimated from the limit equilibrium method with the consideration of results of frictional properties and geometry of model slopes.