Practical application of the Q-slope method for rock slope engineering

The Q-slope method for rock slope engineering provides an empirical means of assessing the stability of excavated rock slopes in the field. Q-slope allows geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists to make potential adjustments to slope angles as rock mass conditions become apparent during the construction of reinforcement-free road or railway cuttings and in open pit mines. Through case studies across Australia, the Americas, Asia and Europe, a simple correlation between Q-slope and long-term stable slopes was established. The Q-slope method is designed such that it suggests stable, maintenance-free, bench face slope angles of, for instance, 40-45°, 60-65° and 80-85° with respective Q-slope values of approximately 0.1, 1.0 and 10. Practical application in civil and mining engineering projects include a variety of ground conditions from very weak to strong rocks, blocky to massive, quasi-isotropic rock masses to laminated, heterogeneous, highly anisotropic and faulted rock masses.