The task of characterizing highly jointed rock masses correctly is often complex due to errors resulting from the scale effect in the majority of laboratory tests. Furthermore, current methods of on-site characterizations pose logistical, technical and even problems, while geomechanical classifications are not precise enough for this kind of rock mass. With the aim of contributing with a new method of analysis for this type of terrain, we describe a novel, easily applied on-site test that calculates the strength values of a weak rock mass while minimizing the scale effect. This new methodology was applied to the characterization of large slopes in an opencast coal mine. The existing mine slopes were back-analysed using classical methods to test the reliability of the results obtained using this new test.
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