3D terrain and geological modelling for the design of a cut slope in Wellington

A 3D terrain and geological model has been used to assist in the design of a cut slope for a proposed house in Wadestown, Wellington. The natural slope of the site is ~30º and consists of colluvium overlying fractured greywacke. A 3D geological model was built from site investigation data, a topographical survey, and from point cloud data generated via photogrammetry (utilising photographs obtained by a UAV). The 3D model was analysed using TSLOPE; a 3D limit equilibrium slope stability package. This enabled calculation of the appropriate parameters for design of slope reinforcement.