Rock Slope Stability Assessment Using Kinematic Analysis of the Limestone Quarries in Al Huson-Shatana Area, Jordan

The current study presents the first results of a kinematic analysis to investigate the type of failures in six abandoned limestone quarries in the Al-Huson-Shatana area, North Jordan. A serious problem appears in abandoned quarries. When the work in the quarry finish and the companies withdraw their equipment and workers, they leave behind unstable rock masses due to the repeated explosives. This may cause hazards in properties and civilians especially when they are close enough to residential areas. Both stereographic projection and kinematic analysis were used as tools in this study, to determine the mode and orientation of the failures. Results show that toppling, planar and wedge failures are likely to occur in all stations mainly along structural discontinuities, faults and joints. This indicates the role of structures in the rock landslides, particularly those related to planar, wedge and toppling failures. In addition, rock falls were observed in most stations that have steep slope cutting.