SWedge

Surface Wedge Analysis for Slopes

Sensitivity & Probabilistic Analysis

Perform probabilistic analysis to determine the probability of failure. Model variability in geometry, point of force application, joint and bedding strength, water pressure, external loads and more by assigning statistical distributions to variables. Perform sensitivity analysis using a range of values to evaluate their effects on factor of safety.

Combination Wedge Analysis

Determine the minimum factor of safety of a surface wedge by inputting any number of discrete joint plane orientations and all possible combinations of two joints forming a wedge will be analyzed.

Shear Strength Reduction

Automate your slope stability analysis using Shear Strength Reduction method. With a single mouse click, locate the critical failure point and determine the strength reduction factor of your slopes.

Features in SWedge

Technical Specifications

Analysis Results

Sidebar information panel
Info Viewer analysis summary
One-click export of data and charts to Excel

Automation

Batch Compute model fi les
Automate Model Inputs from Excel

Bench Analysis

Optimize bench design for open pit mines

Combination Analysis

Unlimited number of joints
Analyze all possible combinations
Find minimum safety factor wedges
Import joints from Dips
View results on histogram, scatter, and stereonet plots

Import from Dips

Import mean planes
Import joint set statistics (probabilistic analysis)
Import all planes (combination analysis)

Joints

Two sliding planes (tetrahedral wedges)
Optional basal joint plane (pentahedral wedges)
Shear strength—Mohr-Coulomb, Barton-Bandis, Power Curve
Waviness angle
Import planes from Dips

Loading

Water pressure on joints
Ponded water analysis
Seismic coefficient
External forces
Pressure (surcharge or support)

Persistence Analysis

Randomly vary wedge height and/or joint persistence
Allowable persistence determines if wedge can form

Probabilistic Analysis

Statistical distributions—normal, uniform, triangular, beta, exponential, lognormal, gamma
Fisher distribution for joint orientations
Histogram, cumulative, and scatter plots
Import joint set statistics from Dips
Monte Carlo or Latin Hypercube simulation
Random or pseudo-random sampling
Shear strength—define variability of mean strength envelope or individual strength parameters
Correlation coefficient for cohesion and friction angle
Best fit distribution, regression line
Highlight failed wedges on plots
Filter wedges by sliding mode
Probability of failure, reliability index

Sensitivity Analysis

Determine effect of individual variables on safety factor
Multiple variables on one plot
Vary strength of all joints simultaneously

Slope

Slope plane/upper face
Slope height, length, and bench width
Overhanging slope
Metric or imperial units
Eurocode design standards

Stereonet View

Plot great circles and poles
Show joint intersections
Highlight failed data
Equal angle/Equal area

Support

Rock bolts
- Define bolt properties from the following bolt types: Mechanically Anchored, Grouted Dowel, Cable Bolt, Split Set, Swellex, and Simple Bolt Force
- Option to use bolt Shear Strength
- Option to apply Bolt Orientation Efficiency factor
Pressure
Active or passive support

Tension Crack

Optional tension crack plane
Arbitrary orientations
Location—user-defined or automatic

Wedge Size

Scale wedge size by slope height, slope length, bench width, trace length, persistence, wedge weight, and volume
Truncate wedge with tension crack
Persistence analysis (probabilistic)
Minimum wedge size

Viewing Options

3D wedge view
Interactively rotate, zoom, and pan
Move wedge along sliding planes
Customize display options
Export image files

SWedge across Applications

Assess the probability and scale of localized bench failures. Design adequate bench widths and slope face cuts using bench design tools to reduce the risk of failed material from reaching operating levels below.

Assess the wedge stability of slopes created by the excavation of rock cuts.

Explore the latest features in SWedge

Apply Ponded Water Pressure to the Slope and/or Upper Face by specifying the depth of ponded water. Plane Water can also be modeled in conjunction with Ponded Water with assumption of either pervious or impervious slope face.

Save time with the Batch Compute feature which enables you to compute several deterministic, combinations, and/or probabilistic SWedge model files (.swd, .swd7) at once and quickly generate results to text or Excel format.

Automate a deterministic, combinations, or probabilistic analysis in SWedge by reading in various numerical input data from an Excel template, and quickly generating computed results to text or Excel format.

Contact Now

Other Rocscience Product

Rocscience RSPile

RSPile 3D Pile Analysis Lateral & Axial Pile Analysis Carry out lateral & axial analyses of various piles with the flexibility to design piles with multiple sections and model complex soil strata using boreholes. Capacity Pile Analysis Analyze Load and Bearing...

Rocscience Settle3

Settle3 Soil Settlement and Consolidation Analysis Settlement Analysis Perform soil settlement analysis to analyze immediate settlement, primary consolidation and secondary settlement of embankments, foundations, and surface loads. Easily create soil profiles using...

Rocscience CPillar

CPillar Support Estimation Using Ground Reaction Curves Crown Pillar Stability Analysis Get quick and easy stability analysis of surface or underground crown pillars and laminated roof beds using three different limit equilibrium analysis methods: rigid plate, elastic...

Rocscience RocSupport

RocSupport Support Estimation Using Ground Reaction Curves Ground Reaction Curve Easy-to-use software for estimating deformation of circular excavations in weak rock. Given the tunnel radius, in-situ stress conditions, rock parameters and support parameters, a ground...

Rocscience UnWedge

UnWedge Underground Wedge Stability Analysis Underground Wedge Stability Analysis Analyze underground tunnel excavations with intersecting discontinuities and visualize the model in 3D. Determine the stability of tetrahedral wedges formed along the tunnel perimeter...

Rocscience EX3

EX3 3D Stress Analysis for Underground Excavations Boundary Element Method & Stress Analysis Perform faster analysis of underground excavations using Boundary Element Method, which only requires meshing of the surface, resulting in simpler and more efficient...

Rocscience RSLog

RSLog Web-based Borehole Log Management Borehole Data Management Centralize your borehole data and streamline the process of field data collection, review, and preparation of borehole logs. Designed for geotechnical, environmental, and mining projects with significant...

Rocscience RocTopple

RocTopple Toppling Stability Analysis for SlopesBlock Toppling Model Analyze 2D block or block-flexural toppling stability given the slope geometry, and the joint spacing, dip and strength. RocTopple employs the Block toppling method of Goodman and Bray (1976), a...

Rocscience RocPlane

RocPlane Graphical and Statistical Analysis of Orientation DataPlanar Rock Slope Analysis Quickly and easily define planar wedge models, visualized in 2D and 3D. Perform planar sliding stability analysis using Limit Equilibrium Method. Model the effects of joint shear...

Rocscience Dips

Dips Graphical and Statistical Analysis of Orientation DataStereographic Projection Analysis Designed for interactive analysis of orientation based geological data. Visualize orientation vectors, density contours, planes, intersections, and traverses. Draw...

« Older Entries

Rocscience SWedge