Stability of cut-slope, the orientation and dimension of which are gradually changed, has been analyzed by employing the cross-section method capable of comprehensibly considering the lithological, structural and mechanical characteristics of slope rock. Lithological fragility is investigated by inspecting the drilled core logs and BIPS image has been taken to delineate the rock structure. Engineering properties of drilled-core including the joint shear strength have been also measured. Potential failure modes of cut-slope and failure-induced joints are identified by performing the stereographic projection analysis. Traces of potential failure-induced joints are drawn on the cross-section which depicts the excavated geometry of cut-slope. Considering the distribution of potential plane failure-induced joint traces blocks of plane failure mode are hypothetically formed. The stabilities and required reinforcements of plane failure blocks located at the different excavation depth have been calculated to confirm the applicability of the cross-section method for the optimum cut-slope design.

Multi-stage shear test has been performed using joint specimens of gneiss, granite and shale to investigate the influence of micro-scale asperity change on the shear strength of joint plane. For each shear test asperity degradation characteristics of joint specimens of different joint surface strength have been analyzed by utilizing the optimum asperity parameter which can reflect the sequential asperity degradation. Elevation of joint surface profile has been measured and both the changes of asperity parameters and micro-scale asperity distribution have been investigated. Two distinctive variation modes of cohesion and friction angle have been delineated and major cause of shear strength parameter change has been analyzed by considering the micro-scale asperity angle change resulting from the abrasion, fracturing and regeneration of micro-scale asperities. Effects of micro-scale asperity variation on the joint shear strength have been also investigated.

A numerical analysis model capable of predicting the shape, the size and the potentiality of collapse of tetrahedral blocks considering the persistence obtained from the field survey of joint distribution around the underground excavation surface has been developed. Numerical functions of analyzing both the exposed trace distribution on the excavation surface and the formation of tetrahedral block controlled by the extent of joint surface have been established and linked to the previously developed three dimensional deterministic block analysis model. To illustrate the reliability of advanced numerical model the case of underground excavation in which the collapse of rock block had practically taken place was studied. Representative orientations of joint sets was determined based on the joint distribution pattern observed on the excavation surfaces. The formation of block on the roof of underground opening was analyzed to unveil the potential tetrahedral block the shape of which was very similar to the collapsed rock block. Mechanisms of collapse process has been also analyzed by considering the three dimensional shape of tetrahedral block.

Shear behavior of joint plane has been investigated considering the magnitude of normal stresses and initial surface roughness. Shear strength of joint plane has been measured by performing the multi-stage shear test in which applied normal stress level has been increased stepwise. Multi-stage shear test within the specified normal stress range has been repeated and two types of strength parameter variation have been observed: type 1 -both cohesion and friction angle decrease, type 2 -cohesion decrease and friction angle increase. Trends of strength parameter variation for the three rock types, gneiss, granite and shale, have been investigated and the influence of initial roughness of joint plane on the sequential shear strength change for the repeated multi-stage shear tests also has been analyzed.