Abstract: The failure mode of a high syncline rock slope in an expressway construction site in Southwest China was determined to be the combined mode of tension failure at the crest and the slidingshear along the structural plane throughout the analyses. The strength parameters along the main sliding plane are determined from the back analysis of this syncline slope. Both the limit equilibrium and finite element method with strength reduction methods are performed on a typical cross section of this high rock slope. The stability of the typical section under the natural, high precipitation and seismic conditions are analyzed. The factory of safety under the natural condition is 1.12.  

Key words: High Rock Slope, Failure Modes, Limit Equilibrium Methods, Finite Element Method with Strength Reduction Technique