Abstract
Surface roughness of rock discontinuities is an important factor that determines the strength characteristics of rock mass. Joint roughness coefficient (JRC), which is typically measured by means of Barton’s combs in the field, is widely used to describe the joint roughness. However, this traditional method of measurement can be rather subjective, labor-intensive and time consuming. In contrast, photogrammetry can provide an alternative method to obtain relatively simple and fast measurements of JRC based on high resolution 3D models. However, the reliability of such measurements still remains an issue as the results from photogrammetry can be affected by the quality of images. This study seeks to clarify whether photogrammetry can produce accurate measurements of JRC that can be used to assess the stability of slopes. A rock slope with a recent wedge failure in the Gold Coast area, Australia was selected for this purpose, and three different methods such as manual measurements, photogrammetry, and tilt tests were employed to determine the JRC. The obtained results showed some discrepancy in the values of JRC obtained from these three different measurements. In particular, the JRC obtained using the Barton’s comb had slightly higher values compared to those determined through the photogrammetry method while the tilt test results tended to yield overestimated values of JRC. Computer analysis using Universal Distinct Element Code was also performed to study the effect of JRC variation on the slope stability. It was found that an increase in the JRC led to an increase in the safety factor of the slope.
References
Australian standard (2007) AS 4133.4.1. Method 4.1: rock strength tests—determination of point load strength index
Barton N, Choubey V (1977) The shear strength of rock joints in theory and practice. Rock Mech 10:1–54
Brideau M-A, Sturzenegger M, Stead D, Jaboyedoff M, Lawrence M, Roberts N, Ward B, Millard T, Clague J (2012) Stability analysis of the 2007 Chehalis lake landslide based on long-range terrestrial photogrammetry and airborne LiDAR data. Landslides 9:75–91
CSIRO Exploration and Mining (2005) Field procedures for photogrammetric pit mapping
Ferrero AM, Migliazza M, Roncella R, Rabbi E (2011) Rock slopes risk assessment based on advanced geostructural survey techniques. Landslides 8:221–231
Firpo G, Salvini R, Francioni M, Ranjith PG (2011) Use of digital terrestrial photogrammetry in rocky slope stability analysis by distinct elements numerical methods. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 48:1045–1054
Grasselli G, Egger P (2003) Constitutive law for the shear strength of rock joints based on three-dimensional surface parameters. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 40:25–40
Gratchev I, Shokouhi A, Kim DH, Stead D, Wolter A (2013) Assessment of rock slope stability using remote sensing technique in the Gold Coast area, Australia. 18th Southeast Asian Geotechnical & Inaugural AGSSEA Conference
Guo H, Karekal S, Poropat G, Soole P, Lambert C (2011) Pit wall strength estimation with 3D imaging. CSIRO, ACARP, Brisbane
Haneberg WC (2007) Directional roughness profiles from three-dimensional photogrammetric or laser scanner point clouds. 1st Canada–US Rock Mechanics Symposium, Vancouver : 101–106
Katz O, Reches Z, Roegiers J-C (2000) Evaluation of mechanical rock properties using a Schmidt Hammer. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 37:723–728
Maerz NH, Franklin JA, Bennett CP (1990) Joint roughness measurement using shadow profilometry. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 27:329–343
Milne D, Hawkes C, Hamilton C (2009) A new tool for the field characterization of joint surfaces. Proc the 3rd CANUS Rock Mechanics Symposium, Toronto
Poropat GV (2009) Measurement of surface roughness of rock discontinuities. Proc the 3rd CANUS Rock Mechanics Symposium, Toronto
Shokouhi A, Gratchev I, Kim DH (2013) Rock slope stability problems in Gold Coast area, Australia. Int J GEOMATE 4(1):501–504
Sturzenegger M (2010) Multi-scale characterization of rock mass discontinuities and rock slope geometry using terrestrial remote sensing techniques. PhD thesis, Simon Fraser University
Tse R, Cruden DM (1979) Estimating joint roughness coefficients. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 16:303–307
Willmott W (2010) Rocks and landscape of the Gold Coast hinterland. Geological society of Australia, Queensland division
Yasar E, Erdogan Y (2004) Estimation of rock physiomechanical properties using hardness methods. Eng Geol 71:281–288
Acknowledgments
The work was supported by the NRG grant from Griffith University, Australia. The authors with to thank Mr. George Poropat from CSIRO and Professor Douglas Stead from Simon Fraser University in Canada for valuable helps and Mr. Ali Shokouhi for assistance in field investigation and data analysis.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kim, D.H., Gratchev, I. & Balasubramaniam, A. Determination of joint roughness coefficient (JRC) for slope stability analysis: a case study from the Gold Coast area, Australia. Landslides 10, 657–664 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-013-0410-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-013-0410-8