Reliability Analysis of Rock Slope Excavation Considering the Stochasticity and Finite Persistence of Wedges

Abstract

With a focus on wedge failure during rock slope excavation and considering stochasticity and finite persistence based on a stochastic structural-plane network simulation and Lajtai’s rock resistance criteria, we present a simplified method combined with binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO) to calculate the shear strength of 3D rock masses. The probabilities of rock slope failure under excavation surfaces of various sizes were obtained using the Monte Carlo method. These probabilities can provide a theoretical basis for determining excavation stability. The approach was applied to a rock slope excavation project in Chongqing, China, and yielded satisfactory results.