Consider a steep highway cut made by removing slightly weathered to fresh, fractured, granite bedrock.Which of the following situations is most stable against rockslides?
A)one set of widely spaced, sub-horizontal fractures
B)two sets of fractures, one inclined toward the road and the other into the slope
C)two sets of fractures, one widely spaced and sub-horizontal, the other inclined towards the highway
D)three sets of closely spaced angular fractures

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A single set of widely spaced, sub-horizontal fractures presents the least potential for rock movement, making it the most stable situation against rockslides. The orientation and spacing of fractures significantly influence rock stability, with fewer and more horizontal fractures generally offering greater stability.

Consider a Steep Highway Cut Made by Removing Slightly Weathered