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ROCK3D is a program for
stability analysis of removable blocks on planar rock slopes. It
identifies and analyses all the blocks that have formed under
each kinematic mode. Once the geometry of the rock blocks has
been identified, the bolt forces necessary to reach a required
safety factor are calculated.
 The
structural geology data collection is carried out through the
introduction of the joint orientations and the co-ordinates of
the end points of the joint traces that are visible on the slope
surface.
The rock slope orientation and the rock mass parameters are also
necessary for the evaluation of the safety factors and for the
design of the rock bolts.
The analysis of the discontinuities is performed through
hierarchical and non-hierarchical clustering procedures, that
allow one to identify the joint sets. The kinematic modes that
could give rise to the formation of removable blocks are
determined using the Goodman and Shi "Key Block Theory".
 The
program calculates the maximum closed contours that result from
the intersection of the joint traces, which follow a given
kinematic mode. The procedure should be repeated for each
kinematic mode to identify the worst safety conditions.
The program then calculates the shape of the complex blocks that
can be obtained as a union of all the elementary polyhedra that
are compatible with the selected kinematic mode, and which are
contained within the closed contours identified in the previous
stage.
The volume and surfaces of each block are then calculated.
The computation ends with
the determination of the rock block safety factors and of the
rock bolt forces that are necessary to obtain the required
stability conditions.
As an option, the program
can generate a random distribution of the joints on the rock
slope face, to formulate hypotheses on the behaviour of the
slope after a subsequent stage of excavation.
 The
output is made up of the projection on equal-angle stereonets of
the joint sets, the plot of the joint traces on the slope face,
the polar stereographic projection used in the "Key Block
Theory" and the perspective projection of the rock blocks.
It is also possible to
produce a left and a right view of the blocks, which can be seen
in three dimensions with a common stereoscope.
Listings that include the input data and the results of the
various calculations can also be generated.
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ROCK3D