Rock Slopes in Tropical Limestone and Rock Mass Strength

Authors: R.J. Allison, A.S. Goudie

Abstract

The form of rock slopes has been studied in a tropical limestone environment. Investigations have concentrated on the Napier Range, an upper Devonian fringing and barrier reef complex, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Seven different characteristic slope forms occur along the Range. A minimum of three profiles have been analysed for each type of slope, using a high-length integral. A rock mass classification has been completed on each surveyed transect. The rock mass classification technique has not been previously applied to tropical limestone slopes. Results indicate that by aggregating data for individual slope units along a profile, associations can be drawn between profile shape and the geometrical characteristics of the rock mass as determined by its mass strength. A continuum of slope profile types has been defined for the Napier Range and within the continuum, the importance of specific rock mass properties in determining spatial variations in slope form have been identified.