GRAVITATIONAL CREEP OF ROCK SLOPES AS PRE-COLLAPSE DEFORMATION AND SOME PROBLEMS IN ITS MODELLING

Abstract

Pre-collapse creep is a widespread component of complex slope movements. Its study requires a preliminary kinematic classification, based on the relations between style and rate of gravitational dislocations and geological structure of rock massifs. Complexity and variability of slope deformations determine the shortcoming of the traditional de-terministic approach. Thus, probabilistic analysis considering different scenarios and 'event trees' seems to be on the mainstream of rock slopes stability assessment. General aspects of geomechanical modelling and risk analysis of slope processes are discussed.