An empirical method for slope mass rating-Q(slope) correlation for Isfahan province, Iran

The presented article provides an empirical method on rock slope classification, slope mass rating (SMR), Q(slope), stability condition, failure type and stabilisation procedures for 35 road/railway discontinuous rock slopes after field surveys in Isfahan Province of Iran. Also, it presents the empirical correlation for SMR and Q(slope) classification system that prepares a link between the stability status (safety factor, reliability condition) and stabilisations (failure mechanism, support system) which performed on natural/trench slopes cases related sedimentary rocks cuts in the studied region. As results, the SMR-Q(slope) equation for Isfahan Province obtained as SMR = 11.89 ln(Q(slope)) + 71.92 (R(2) = 0.756). • This method can be useful on a stability assessment and providing appropriate stabilisations for the discontinuous rock slope based on simple assumptions where used in different geotechnical projects such as road/railway slope, excavations, open-pit mining, trench boring, etc. • This method can be useful for quick calculation of stability conditions and suggestion of slope maintenance system in a short time as preliminary reactions. • This method can be used as an effective way to convert SMR and Q(slope) equations and used both benefits in geo-engineering application faced with discontinuous rock masses. • This method can be useful for future research on the empirical geomechanically classification and rock mass preliminary quantifications. • This method can be used as an appropriate database for SMR and Q(slope) classification.