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Rock slope stability analyses for plane and wedge slides have been widely used for the last thirty years. Given certain assumptions, the distribution of normal forces among the contact planes is statistically determinate for plane and wedge slides, and the resisting and driving forces and the factor of safety may be calculated by limiting equilibrium methods. Certain geologic environments, however, produce potential failures on curved failure surfaces that cannot be modeled as either plane or wedge slides. Standard rock stability analysis methods presently available are not adequate to treat these rock slopes with curved sliding surfaces. This paper presents an energy approach that can analyze the stability of a rock block with any number of contact planes or a curved contact surface.

Examines kinematic and kinetic constraints on block rotations. Conditions that depend on the orientation of the free surface; Graphical solution of the kinematical inequalities; Rotational equilibrium of tetrahedral blocks; Failure modes of block theory.

Presents a study which exposed the keyblock rotations under general loading conditions linking kinematic constraints on motion with rigid body dynamics. Views on rotation under loading conditions; Details on the analysis of the rotations. INSET: Closure by Fulvio Tonon.