Assessment of Rock Slope Stability Along Degala-Koya Road, Erbil, NE Iraq

Abstract

This article addresses the issue of instability in rock slopes along the main Degala-Koya road in Erbil northeastern Iraq, which poses a significant threat to human safety and property. the use of Slope Mass Rating Tool software and various techniques such as kinematic analysis and geomechanical classification to investigate cut slopes and assess slope stability. Geotechnical tests, including a point load test, were performed at eight stations in the study area to determine the unconfined compressive strength. comparison between discrete and continuous Slope Mass Rating values for rock slopes was carried out. The most unstable slope was identified as Station 4, while Stations 2, 5, 6, and 8 were deemed the most stable. The study found that rock fall accompanied by direct toppling was the most common type of failure, with plane sliding, rock fall, toppling, and wedge sliding as likely dominant failures. The Slope Mass Rating Tool-v205 software is more accurate When evaluating slope stability when strengthen with kinematic analysis by Dips-v6.008 software.