Next-Generation Rock Slope Engineering: Advanced Stability Analysis of Rock Slopes Using Rocscience Software

About the Course

Join this one-day, in-person Rocscience course in Athens to learn how to map discontinuities, perform kinematic analysis, and assess rock slope stability using ShapeMetriX, DIPS, RocSlope2, RocSlope3, Slide2, and RS2. This technical course follows a structured, end-to-end workflow for rock slope engineering, guiding participants from structural data extraction and failure mechanism identification to 2D and 3D stability analysis, probabilistic assessment, and finite element modeling of rock masses.

Course Details

• Date: May 23rd, 2026
• Venue: Divani Caravel Hotel, Athens (2 Vas. Alexandrou Ave 16121 Athens)
• Time: 9am-5pm
  
• Instructors: A. Anıl YUNATCI, Ph.D.
• Programs Covered: RocSlope3, RocSlope2, Dips, ShapeMetriX, Slide2, RS2
• Registration Fees(USD): $399 Early bird | $499 Regular
  * Early bird pricing ends May 8th, 2026.

Course Outline

Module I: Kinematic Analysis of Rock Mass Discontinuities (ShapeMetrix, Dips)

• Semi-automated extraction of structural data (Dip/Dip Direction) and joint set identification.
• Seamless integration of structural data acquired from ShapeMetriX directly into Dips.
• Fundamentals of stereographic projection and exploring the Dips software interface.
• Plotting stereonets, contouring data, and defining critical joint sets.
• Advanced methodology to identify Planar, Wedge, and Toppling failure mechanisms.
• Conducting comprehensive kinematic assessments and kinematic sensitivity analyses.

Module II: Unified Limit Equilibrium Analysis of Rock Slopes (RocSlope2)

Direct import of kinematic results and joint sets into the RocSlope2 3D interface.

• Defining critical parameters for slope geometry, joint orientations, and shear strength properties.
• Simultaneous deterministic and probabilistic analysis of Planar, Wedge, and Toppling failures on a single model.
• Conducting sensitivity analysis of input parameters to evaluate design reliability.
• Designing and optimizing support systems (rock bolts, shotcrete) and utilizing Batch Compute options for rapid assessment.

Module III: True 3D Block Stability & Risk Assessment (RocSlope3)

• The ultimate integration: Importing ShapeMetriX 3D surfaces and topographies directly into RocSlope3.
• Creating complex 3D slope geometries and modeling intersecting geological structures across the entire pit or slope.
• Advanced evaluation of true 3D block stability, kinematics, and failure volumes.
• Running probabilistic analysis in a fully 3D environment to account for geological uncertainty.
• Key block analysis, risk detection, and visualizing critical failure zones.
• Finalizing the workflow: From a raw drone image to a fully evaluated and supported 3D rock slope design.

Module IV: 2D Limit Equilibrium and Finite Element Based Slope Stability Assessment for Rock Masses (Slide2, RS2)

• Tips for Using Suitable Search Geometries and Search Methods in Limit Equilibrium Analysis to Characterize Rock Slope Behaviour Mechanisms
• Numerical Tools for Modeling Anisotropic Behaviour Using Limit Equilibrium: 2D v.s. 3D
• Essentials for Shear Strength Reduction Approach Applications in Complex Lithologies
• Characterizing Rock Mass Discontinuities in Finite Elements
• Definition of Explicit Joints and Joint Networks in 2D FE Slope Models

Course Instructor

Dr. Anıl Yunatcı is serving as the managing director at GeoDestek Ltd. Şti. He has built experience in the field of geotechnical earthquake engineering, site specific seismic hazard assessment, geomechanical modeling, in-situ testing, geotechnical monitoring and soil investigation studies over 25 years.

Dr. Yunatcı received his Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering in 1999 from Gazi University in Turkiye. He then obtained his Masters and Ph.D.degree in geotechnical engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkiye in 2010.

Built on previous research and teaching experience, Dr. Yunatcı has been in charge of organizing and developing numerous customized courses and workshop events internationally over the past eight years. He has co-developed original technical material for running interactive, enlightening and inspirational course flows in which the main target is maximizing the benefit for the participants and help build their approach to idealizing, modeling and interpreting the numerical modeling workflow in daily practice.

Invited Lecturer

Dr. Harry Saroglou is an independent consultant and Teaching Fellow at the School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens. He was the 2025 Franklin Lecturer for the International Society of Rock Mechanics. He has more than 25 years of experience in rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering projects in Greece and abroad, specializing in civil engineering projects (tunnels, slopes, and foundations) and mining projects (rock mass characterization and slope design). He has also provided training to various industry companies, focusing on rock mass characterization, rock slope design, and tunnelling.

Dr. Saroglou developed the Modified Hoek & Brown criterion for anisotropic rocks and the Anisotropic Rock Mass Rating (ARMR) system, and he has authored over 100 papers in journals and conference proceedings. He has received awards from the IAEG (Richard Wolters Prize, 2012), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Visiting Fellow, 2016), and the Academy of Athens (2009). He holds a PhD and an MSc in Tunnelling from NTUA, an MSc from Imperial College London, and a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Athens.