Causes and Stability Analysis of the Fractured Rock Mass on a High Slope Along the Lancang River

The increasing demand for hydropower resources in China has positioned the western region as a critical area for their development. The stability of high slopes in mountainous and canyon projects within complex geological environments is becoming a significant concern. The study area is located within the Lancang River Basin, where extensive fractured rock masses are prevalent across the slope surfaces. Therefore, analyzing the causes of fractured rock masses and slope stability is of great significance. A combination of engineering geological data and geological exploration findings revealed that the formation of fractured rock masses was primarily influenced by three key factors: primary formation, structural transformation, and valley evolution. Furthermore, the study employed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) oblique photography and three-dimensional (3D) model reconstruction to rapidly develop high-precision UDEC numerical models under complex geological conditions, with the support of ArcGIS software. Numerical simulations under various conditions indicated that the high slope consistently faced instability risks. The findings offer valuable insights into future project reinforcement.