Abstract
Under the influence of continuous external factors (rainfall, earthquake, construction, etc.), the slope rock mass in a stable state gradually transited to an unstable rock, and then the unstable rock collapsed. However, a safety factor can identify the occurrence of failure but cannot identify the transition of stable rock to unstable rock; thus, it cannot realise the quantitative identification of unstable rocks. In this study, safety factor of adhesion (SFA ) and a relatively objective analysis method are proposed to effectively identify unstable rocks. SFA can be calculated by natural vibration frequency and applied as a mechanical index to judge unstable rock. When SFA is less than 1, the rock is defined as an unstable rock. Compared with the traditional method, the new method has the merits of simple operation, low cost and higher efficiency, and provides a relatively complete quantitative evaluation index and judgment criteria for quantitative identification of unstable rocks for engineers who are engaged in early warning and prevention of rock collapse.