Application of the Kinematic Assessment of Multi-Faced Slopes Using Stereographic Projection: The Case Study of a Planar Failure on the Spondylus Coast, Ecuador

Abstract

This manuscript presents a relevant practical application of the stability analysis of multi-face slopes that uses the concept of the restricted daylight envelope in multi-faced slopes (MFS). The methodology was applied to the back analysis of a case study of a failed slope in mudstones and sandstones on the Spondylus coast in Ecuador. The instabilities analyzed included several rock cliffs with dihedral rock faces in mudstones. It is interesting to analyze the failure mechanism of these natural coastal slopes because, on the Spondylus coast, several hotels and tourist spots are located near the upper parts of some similar regions. The stereographic projection methodology can simulate complex geometries and simplify the analysis.

Keywords

• sliding
• coast
• geotechnics
• cliff stability
• kinematic assessment